A pharmaceutical company in the Philippines, Bell-Kenz, is under scrutiny for its practices in selling medicines. During a public hearing at the Senate committee on health, the company’s CEO, Dr. Luis Raymond Go, defended Bell-Kenz against allegations of using a multi-level marketing scheme and giving doctors commissions in exchange for prescribing their medicines.
Dr. Go emphasized that Bell-Kenz offers medicines at a lower cost compared to other brands, helping patients save money on maintenance drugs for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and coronary diseases.
However, questions were raised about the perks given to doctors by Bell-Kenz. While Dr. Go stated that they provide continuing medical education and clinic equipment, allegations of doctors receiving expensive gifts like luxury cars surfaced during the hearing.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada expressed concerns about the potential exploitation of patients, as some doctors may prioritize prescribing Bell-Kenz medicines for financial gain rather than the best interest of the patient. The Senate committee on health vowed to investigate the matter further.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa warned that doctors could face license revocation if found guilty of unethical practices. The controversy surrounding Bell-Kenz’s alleged prescription for sale has been described as the biggest medical corruption in modern times by public health advocate Antonio Leachon.
