00:00One of the Senators was the company that was accused of recruiting doctors to research in exchange for the commission.
00:06But the company refused.
00:09Sandra Aguinaldo is the witness.
00:14In the hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography,
00:17the Senators questioned the pharmaceutical company, Belkenz Pharma Inc.,
00:22for its alleged involvement with doctors who were called unethical.
00:28The company denies that they do not violate any law.
00:31They claim that their products are good and cheaper than other brands.
00:51But Senator J.V. Ejercito said that the drug firm cooperates
00:55with a drug firm that is like a multi-level marketing
00:58where doctors are recruited to prescribe their medicines
01:02in exchange for the commission and incentives,
01:05such as luxury items and travel abroad.
01:08They have been operating as a complex multi-level organization.
01:12Their network includes 50 doctors, 50 plus, and stretchers from Northern Luzon.
01:18Maybe this new scheme of multi-level,
01:22how does this affect the aim of us of lowering the out-of-pocket?
01:27Maybe this will add to the unnecessary expenses.
01:33Aside from the doctors who are incorporated by the company,
01:36there are doctors who are investors who are called Jedi and Padawan,
01:41depending on the size of the investment.
01:44He fears that with this scheme, the public will be left behind.
01:48Belkenz Pharma denied that they are giving incentives to doctors.
01:54Would you admit or would you deny that the doctors who are members of your networking
02:04are receiving commissions coming from your company, yes or no?
02:11There are two.
02:12No sir, yes or no?
02:16Yes or no?
02:18I deny.
02:19You deny?
02:20I deny.
02:21You will be jailed because I have checks that will prove that you and your company
02:28issued to the doctors who are members of your network.
02:34Belkenz admitted that they are giving incentives to doctors abroad,
02:38but he said it's for additional knowledge.
02:40Why are you giving incentives abroad?
02:42Because they met the quota or whatever.
02:45This is continuing medical education.
02:47This is to help doctors upgrade their skills.
02:50Car?
02:51No.
02:52Cash?
02:53No.
02:54Money?
02:55None.
02:56No.
02:57Huh?
02:58No.
02:59Wheels?
03:00We gave watches.
03:03Senator Tulfo obtained a copy of the checks issued by Pharma Company to some doctors.
03:10Belkenz explained.
03:12If we look to a doctor who has a series of pharmacies,
03:15we will give you an additional discount if you pay us full.
03:21They showed the picture of some expensive cars owned by doctors.
03:27The company was angry.
03:28They did not give the cars because some doctors can buy them.
03:34Senator Tulfo obtained a list of doctors who are part of the marketing scheme.
03:40Tulfo thinks that there is a conflict of interest if the doctor will resell the medicines of the company he is counting on.
03:47The Professional Regulation Commission is looking into this issue
03:51that a doctor has the right to withdraw his license to prove that he is guilty.
03:57We request that the list, the list of these doctors, the list of these doctors be provided to us
04:07to properly investigate on our own and impose the appropriate sanctions.
04:14The Department of Health is investigating the issue.
04:18The Ethics Committee of the various Medical and Pharmaceutical Associations is also ready to investigate.
04:24Competition law in particular plays a major role in the pharmaceutical industry with regard to protecting consumer rights.
04:32The senators were sad that they do not have all the doctors because more and more are the ones who are caring for their patients.
04:44For GMA Integrated News, Sandra Aguinaldo, for Tuto 24 Horas.
