Dr. Minerva Calimag PMA FB PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — Ahead of a Senate inquiry on the alleged involvement of doctors in a multilevel marketing scheme, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) urged its members to reaffirm their dedication to integrity, transparency and ethical practice of medicine.
But while it could conduct an investigation on its own, PMA president Dr. Minerva Calimag said they could make their physician members accountable only if there would be individuals who would come out and officially lodge a complaint before its ethics commission.
READ: DOH to probe docs, pharma firm over marketing scheme
READ: Drug firm in Senate probe denies ‘pyramiding’ accusations
Members who are found to have violated the PMA Code of Ethics of the Medical Profession, which shall constitute unethical and unprofessional conduct, could face a “reprimand, suspension, or revocation” of the medical license of the offending physician.
In an open letter issued on Saturday, Calimag “encouraged” its nearly 100,000 member physicians to actively disclose any financial relationships or conflicts of interest with pharmaceutical companies.
“Such transparency is essential and ensures that our clinical decisions remain unbiased and patient-focused,” she said.
Calimag also called on the doctors in the country to “uphold ethical guidelines when entering into partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry” and be “wary” of accepting gifts or incentives that could influence their medical judgment.
“Advocate for practices and policies that prioritize patient welfare and the integrity of the medical profession over the interests of any third party, including the pharmaceutical industry,” she noted.
“The trust that our patients place in us is the cornerstone of the physician-patient relationship. To preserve this trust, it is crucial that we maintain an unwavering commitment to moral conduct, particularly when dealing with the pharmaceutical industry,” Calimag said, adding that “our decisions must always be guided by the best interests of our patients rather than the influences of external entities.”
The PMA president admitted that while the interactions between doctors and the pharmaceutical industry have been “both inevitable and invaluable,” she stressed that it is still “imperative that we, as custodians of health, uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical practice in every aspect of these interactions.”
Action after Senate probe
The PMA, however, would first wait for the Senate inquiry scheduled on Tuesday, which would tackle the issue of Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc., before it could proceed with its motu proprio investigation in the absence of a formal complaint.
“We have the resources to get the identities of the doctors involved. But we cannot just name names because it will then be us who would be facing criminal complaints,” Calimag said in an interview on ANC on Friday.
“We should have an understanding… that we are not condemning the people involved, but the practice. There is a root cause for this malpractice and that’s what we want to know and get rid of,” she pointed out.
Public health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon, who has been very vocal on the issue, estimated that at least 200 doctors across the country, some even affiliated with big hospitals, were involved with Bell-Kenz.
In an interview on dzRH on Saturday, Leachon said he was able to talk to five physicians who were recruited by fellow doctors to prescribe medicines being sold by Bell-Kenz.
The business model reportedly involves doctors investing in the company and encouraging other doctors to invest as their “downlines.” They earn commissions through the medicines they prescribe to patients, which are marketed by the same pharmaceutical company.
Their top-performing doctors purportedly get either a Rolex luxury watch, a Lexus luxury car, or even a vacation house.
‘Misinformed and unfounded’
Bell-Kenz has rejected allegations that it recruited doctors in a “pyramiding scheme” to prescribe its medicines to their patients in exchange for huge commissions, including expensive cars and other luxury items.
In an emailed statement sent to the Inquirer, Bell-Kenz described the claims as “misinformed and unfounded” and said that the company was willing to face separate investigations by the Senate and the Department of Health (DOH).
“Our commitment to rectify these accusations in the right fora underscores our unwavering dedication to preserve the integrity of our company’s reputation,” it said.
Both the leaderships of the Philippine College of Physicians, the umbrella organization of internists in the country, and the Philippine College of Chest Physicians expressed support for the ongoing investigations being conducted by the PMA, the Professional Regulatory Commission and the DOH on the unethical practice of some of their colleagues.