Ombudsman to check case vs 3 doctors

A pharmacy  owner filed  a complaint against three physicians of the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital for allegedly forcing  patients to buy medicines in their designated pharmacy.

Edmerito Gobonseng, owner of Edago Dexter Farmacia Co., requested the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas to investigate  Dr. Nolie Cortez, his wife Dr. Alicia Cortez and Dr. Roel Banzon.

Gabonseng, who sells generic drugs, said the three government doctors compelled  their patients to  buy medicine only in  Farmacia Leonarda which is owned by the Cortez couple.

“If the patient or their representatives do not buy the prescribed medicines from Farmacia Leonarda, Dr. Nollie and Dr. Roel would demand from the patient to return the medicines and insist that the patient buy at Farmacia Leonarda otherwsie they will not administer or inject the medicines on the patient,” Gobonseng alleged.

The allegation was denied by Dr. Bolivar Minoza Jr., chief of the Lapu-Lapu Hospital.

He said  patients have the freedom to buy from any pharmacy although doctors can recommend what medicine to take.

He said he would look into the complaint.

Gabonseng on the other hand wants the Ombudsman to issue preventive suspension against the respondents.