B. Braun responds to allegations linking it to PhilHealth irregularities

MANILA, Philippines — The company which owns dialysis centers allegedly favored by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) maintains that it holds itself “strictly to the highest standards of integrity in all its business dealings.”

B. Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. issued this statement as it denied involvement in any alleged irregularities in PhilHealth after the company was mentioned in the Senate’s investigation into fresh corruption claims against the state insurer.

“As a medical technology company with a global history of 180 years and having served the Filipino people for 34 years, B. Braun holds itself strictly to the highest standards of integrity in all its business dealings,” it said.

“To B. Braun, [c]ompliance is more than simply complying with laws and legal requirements. It also embraces the ethical values of integrity, fairness, and sustainability,” it added.

B. Braun Avitum owns and manages 25 dialysis centers in Luzon that treat patients requiring renal care.

During Tuesday’s Senate hearing, senators questioned the release of P45 million in cash advances to B. Braun Avitum through PhilHealth’s Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM), which were specifically allocated for hospitals treating patients of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Senator Joel Villanueva said the swift release of cash advances to B. Braun despite the dialysis center’s pending cases in PhilHealth proved that the health insurer had given preferential treatment to certain health facilities.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that there’s favoritism in PhilHealth,” Villanueva said.

“IRM has now become ‘Inequitable Reimbursement Mechanism.’ It’s being used by PhilHealth to the advantage of some ‘blessed’ (hospitals),” he added.

Senator Panfilo Lacson also scored PhilHealth’s supposed failure to exercise due diligence when it released funds to B. Braun Avitum despite it not being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

But the company maintained that it adheres to the “most stringent standards of integrity and professionalism” in all of its business transactions.

“During the on-going pandemic, the funds made available through the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) to support the operations of all Philippine healthcare institutions (HCIS) have enabled B. Braun Avitum to continue to provide quality renal services to dialysis patients who require regular treatment,” it also said.

“Such treatment must not be interrupted despite the coronavirus situation, as our patients’ lives will be compromised,” it added.

SEC registration

Further, B. Braun Avitum said it is registered with the SEC.

“Our company was registered with the [SEC] on 11th December 1985 as B. Braun Medical Supplies, Inc. whereas, B. Braun Avitum, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Braun Medical Supplies, Inc. was originally incorporated as Philippine Renal Care, Inc. on 24th January 2002 (Company Registration Number A200201223) and later renamed as B. Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc.,” the company said.

“We are one with the government in its quest for transparency and good governance, and will extend full cooperation in this endeavor,” it added.

/MUF