Sanofi Pasteur pays FEC exec to conduct cost effectiveness study on Dengvaxia

Solvent and powder pair of Dengvaxia dengue vaccine made by Sanofi Pasteur. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON

Pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur has paid a member of Department of Health (DOH) panel to conduct a cost effectiveness analysis of the company’s now-controversial vaccine, Dengvaxia, an agency official admitted Wednesday.

Dr. Hilton Lam, a member of the Formulary Executive Council (FEC) who conducted the research on the vaccine, said he was paid P300,000 and the whole research team about P3 million to undertake the study.

The FEC is an 11-member DOH panel that influence the selection and use of medicines. It is the body that determines which drugs should be included to the National Formulary, a list of medicines the government could buy and use.

“Personally I received P300,000,” Lam told the House committee on good government and public accountability hearing on the botched immunization program.

The undertaking of the study did not sit well with Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Doy Leachon, who said it was inappropriate for Lam, as a member of the FEC, to conduct such study.

“Hindi mo ba naisip ‘yon doktor na… Ikaw ay isa sa nag-aapruba o nagbibigay ng rekomendasyon para maging epektibo ng gamot tapos tatanggapin mo yung bayad ng Sanofi para i-conduct yung analysis? Hindi ba nakikita mo sa sarili mo na masama tingnan?” Leachon said.

(Didn’t you thought about it, doctor… that you are one of the people who approves or recommends the effectiveness of a drug then you accept Sanofi’s payment to conduct an analysis on the drug? Didn’t you see that it’s not appropriate?)

“Kahit nakalagay doon na hindi ka boboto pero mga tropa mo yung naroon sa FEC more or less maniniwala sayo dahil sa galing mo, sa naging samahan ninyo. Bakit hindi mo tinanggihan?” he added.

(Even though you are not going to vote but those in the FEC are your colleagues, who would more or less believe you because of your brilliance, because of your relationship. Why didn’t you decline?)

Lam said he had asked for permission from the committee and he was allowed by the FEC to do such.