The Department of Health (DOH), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will conduct a joint investigation into the so-called “prescription-for-sale” scheme, involving doctors moonlighting as marketing agents for a local pharmaceutical firm.
Lawyer Pamela Sevilla, spokesperson for the FDA, disclosed this information on Friday. She said the tri-agency probe will be in parallel with the upcoming Senate investigation on the same issue, which will begin on April 30.
On Thursday, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito filed a resolution to investigate the case, which a whistleblower who used to work in the firm described as “worse than the Pharmally scam”—the scandal that broke during the height of the pandemic in 2020 about overpriced medical supplies.
In a news conference, Ejercito named the drug firm in question as Bell-Kenz (BK) Pharma, Inc. The senator said he wants to find out the veracity of the report as it also concerns doctor-investors in the company.
“We are still investigating the matter together with DOH and PRC,” Sevilla said that prior to the announcement of Ejercito on the alleged “collusion” between BK and some doctors working in various hospitals.
“They (have) already set up a meeting with PRC and DOH by next week. So, we can further investigate it,” Sevilla added. Right now, she said, they are aware of the issue and “we make sure to address it.”
On Wednesday, Ejercito said that whistleblowers will detail the alleged “pyramiding scheme” of the drug firm. He expressed alarm over allegations that the pharmaceutical company has been enticing doctors with “luxurious” gifts or incentives to prescribe their products to patients.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “DOH leads joint investigation into the “prescription-for-sale” controversy involving shady doctors.”