The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday issued Department Circular No. 2024- 0141 reminding all medical professionals to “uphold professional and ethical standards” following the recent reports of pharmaceutical companies giving privileges using a “multi-level marketing scheme” to entice them to advertise/prescribe medical products.
“The Department of Health (DOH) strictly reminds all doctors, nurses, medical professionals, and DOH personnel in medical centers, hospitals, and medical facilities regulated by the DOH that the acceptable gifts, grants, or any emoluments from Biopharmaceutical companies or members of the industry, in exchange of any act benefiting such company or member of the industry is unethical,” read the Department Circular No. 2024-0141: Upholding Ethical Standards, Adhering to Medical City Principles for Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector and Patients Rights and Reiteration of Administrative Order No. 2015-0053 “Implementing Guidelines on the Promotion And Marketing Of Prescription Pharmaceutical Products And Medical Devices,” signed by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Monday.
The DOH also reminded health-care workers to adhere to Mexico City Principles of Voluntary Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector, or the Mexico City Principles (MCP), which is anchored on healthcare and patient focus, integrity, independence, legitimate intent, transparency and accountability, and laid out the standards for the ethical promotion of medicines.
“Medical professionals are expected to uphold professional and ethical standards. The interest of the patient shall be paramount to any interest. Societal pressures, financial gains and administrative exigencies shall not compromise the rights of the patient to quality healthcare service.”
It may be noted that Health expert and advocate Dr. Tony Leachon has called on the Senate and Congress to investigate the issue he dubbed as “worse than Pharmally,” involving pharmaceutical company allegedly offering financial incentives to doctors, to prescribe or recommend their drug.
On Facebook live on Saturday, Dr. Leachon also urged the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) to look into the matter for it is against the physician’s code of medical ethics and Professional Regulation Commission due to “conflict of interest.”
“I hope maimbestigahan. Kung maimbestigahan po ito, Senate or Congressional hearing para naman makita… This is really, really unacceptable. This is abominable. This is repulsive. This is highly irregular, highly irresponsible. This is highly criminal,” he lamented that the pharma’s money given to the doctors may increase prescribing of a drug.
Aside from big amount of money involved, Dr. Leachon said that pharma company allegedly offers paid international travels, there are expensive cars gifted to doctors as well.
” I just have to say something dahil talaga makatarungan ang ginagawa nila. And again, this is worse than Pharmally because doctors involved are SHOVING these drugs and products down patients’s throats. Kalusugan ng tao ang kawawa dito,” Dr. Leachon also posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday as he expressed alarm of the possible harmful effects of such inappropriate act.
Dr. Leachon, however, did not reveal what illnesses that were usually given prescription to favor products of a pharmaceutical company.
Netizens supported his call for a congressional and PMA probe on the matter. There was also a clamor for Dr. Leachon to reveal the identity of the pharmaceutical company.