Bong Go stresses need to continue probe on Bell-Kenz Pharma as Senate determines appropriate committee to lead inquiry

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has reaffirmed his support in pursuit of a Senate investigation into the alleged unethical marketing practices of pharmaceutical company Bell-Kenz Pharma.

In a radio interview on Thursday, May 2, Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, supported calls from fellow senators for the Senate to pursue a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the truth behind the allegations, stop any unethical practice in the pharma industry, and strengthen measures to uphold the integrity of the medical profession. 

"We are pursuing this precisely because we want to get to the bottom of the issue. Ang importante po lumabas ang katotohanan at mapanagot po kung sino lang ang may kasalanan at sino 'yung nananamantala sa ating mga kababayan," said Go.

The concerns raised about Bell-Kenz Pharma center on allegations that a number of doctors with some also being company shareholders, were prescribing medications to meet sales quotas, potentially earning monetary rewards, luxury items, or sponsored trips, possibly at the expense of patients who in effect are deprived of the right to get the most appropriate medication they should get. 

Go however clarified the need to vet all the information received by the committee so far in order to be fair to everyone concerned, saying: "Dapat ipagpatuloy ang mga imbestigasyon para malaman natin kung ano ang totoo. But we must listen to all sides. Magiging fair po tayo.” 

“Premature pang magsabi kung anong resulta nito… the Senate, being a collegial body, will still make a final determination sa magiging takbo ng investigation,” Go remarked.

The Senator also clarified that the initial discussions on the matter during the Health hearing he led last April 30 was part of ongoing efforts of the committee to look into the current state of public health in the country. 

“Dahil pumutok na ang isyu ng Bell-Kenz last week at nabring-up rin ito sa naunang hearing ng komite noong April 2, minabuti na namin bilang Chair na isama na ito sa agenda ng April 30 na hearing para mapag-usapan at maimbita ang mga concerned stakeholders,” Go explained. 

During the plenary session of the Senate on April 30, Go disputed claims that the Health Committee did not follow the three day rule when tackling matters referred to the committee. Citing Senate rules, Go clarified that the Notice of Hearing released on April 24 met the required time to inform the body and it indicated in its agenda the subject matter. 

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva manifested that Go's hearing followed Senate protocols and did not breach any rules for the conduct of such hearings. 

"Just to give the proper information to the body, I have a copy of the notice of inquiry in aid of legislation of the Health Committee, and it's under Section C of its notice... So nabanggit naman dun sa kanyang notice. In other words, proper naman 'yung procedure," Zubiri said.

The Senate President was referring to the Notice released April 24, indicating as one of the agenda in the meeting: “Motu Proprio Inquiry, in Aid of Legislation, on the Rights of Patients to Appropriate Medical Care, Information and Informed Consent, Focusing on the Prescription of Medicines, With the End in View of Assessing Whether Existing Laws and Regulations Adequately Protect the Rights of Patients to be Prescribed With the Appropriate and Correct Amount of Medicines as Treatment and to Determine and Propose Additional Policies and Mechanisms for Their Protection.” 

The next steps of the investigation would depend on the decision of the Senate on which appropriate committees would lead the investigation. The privileged speeches of Senators Raffy Tulfo and Jinggoy Estrada on the matter last April 29 have been referred to the Committee on Rules for appropriate action.  

"Collegial body kami, kaya naman susundin at irerespeto ko ang anumang magiging pasya ng ating kapulungan," he said.

Aside from pursuing the investigation, Go further stressed the need to prioritize patient welfare over pharmaceutical profits in the medical community. 

"Kaya ako naman, napag-usapan natin ito dito, ayaw natin na may mga doktor na uunahin yung kapakanan ng pharmaceutical company. Huwag naman pong gano’n. Unahin natin parati ang kapakanan ng pasyente. Dapat unahin ang pasyente rather than pharmaceutical company. Buhay po at kalusugan ang nakataya dito ng ating mga kababayan," he articulated.

Go has also called on regulatory bodies such as the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), as well as the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration to conduct their thorough investigations into the matter within their respective mandates. 

Meanwhile, Go emphasized the integrity and professionalism of most Filipino doctors, distinguishing between the majority who are ethical and the few whose interests may have been compromised. He also called on medical associations to help police their ranks and uphold the integrity of their professions. 

“Marami pong mga doktor natin ay professional. Marami sa ating mga doktor ay matitino, mas marami sa ating mga doktor ay may kaya. Ipinagkatiwala natin sa kanila ang ating buhay, kaya magtiwala tayo sa ating mga doktor,” said Go.

“Kung mayroon man po diyan ay kakaunti po siguro. Kaya importante to weed out the bad from the many good ones. Ihiwalay natin yung mga bulok sa mga matitino. Kasi marami po diyan na matitino na mga doktor,” he added.

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