Doctor-owned pharma hit for 'unethical practices'

A group of doctors who own a pharmaceutical company has been giving rebates of up to P2 million, luxury cars, travel and other perks to doctors who prescribe the firm's medicines, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada disclosed yesterday.

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

In a privilege speech, Estrada called for a Senate probe, in aid of legislation, on the practices of Bell-Kenz Pharma, whose products range from anti-hypertensive and antidiabetic drugs to antibiotics and health supplements. He said the firm has been operating since 2006.

Estrada said the company "shamelessly recruits doctors, enticing them with promises of exorbitant commissions and lavish incentives in exchange for prescribing their medicines - a blatant violation of their ethical principles, betrayal of trust bestowed upon them by their patients and a flagrant disregard for the sacredness of their profession." Bell-Kenz Pharma officers have yet to respond to Estrada's accusations.

"It's probably high time that we come up with legislation similar to the United States, the Anti-Kickback Statute, a criminal law that prohibits the knowing and willful payment of 'remuneration' to induce or reward patient referrals, or the generation of business involving any item or service payable by the Federal health care programs,” he noted.