Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he strongly supports for an extensive and fair investigation into the reported unethical practices of a pharmaceutical company by the Senate blue ribbon committee.
This after the Senate Committee on Rules formally referred the Bell-Kenz Pharma probe from the Senate Committee on Health and Demography to the blue ribbon panel on Monday, May 6.
As chairman of the Senate health panel, Go emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the medical profession and maintaining the trust given to doctors.
The senator also said it is State's obligation to safeguard the integrity of the public health system and to ensure that medical professionals adhere to their ethical standards and existing laws.
"Walang masamang kumita (There’s nothing wrong with earning) but not at the expense of people’s health. Unahin natin ang kapakanan ng mga pasyente (Let’s prioritize the welfare of the patients) especially poor and indigent patients,” Go said in his manifestation during Monday’s plenary session.
Go earlier asked concerned regulatory bodies and government agencies, including the Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), to also investigate the accusations against the pharma company based on their respective mandates.
“It is crucial to continue this investigation and get to the bottom of this. Whether primary or secondary, whether it is the Committee on Health or the Blue Ribbon Committee or any other related committee, ang importante malaman natin ang totoo,” Go declared.
The lawmaker also emphasized the need to get to the bottom of reports of alleged long-standing malpractice and ensure accountability at every level.
“We must further investigate this system allegedly involving Bell-Kenz and other entities with a similar scheme. We must also look into the culpability of government agencies mandated to regulate and monitor the practice of medicine and the delivery of health services,” Go asserted.
“Kung totoo ang mga alegasyon, bakit nakakalusot ang ganitong sistema? May pagkukulang ba ang government agencies? Ano ang liability ng mga doktor na involved na nag-practice sa government hospitals (If the allegations are true, why does this system get through? Are government agencies lacking? What is the liability of the doctors involved who practice in government hospitals)?” he pointed out.
Go also suggested a review of existing laws—particularly the Generics Law—to protect patients and maintain the integrity of the medical profession.
“If we need to craft a law, then we should do it. Ano ba talaga ang pwede (What should be allowed)? What is legal? What is ethical? What is modest? At ano ho bang katanggap tanggap dito (What is acceptable here)?” Go questioned.
“Without compromising, hindi po dapat masasakripisyo ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino, dahil napaka importante po para sakin ng kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino dahil katumbas po yan ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino (each Filipino’s health should not be sacrificed because the health of every Filipino is very important for me),” he stressed.