00:46.6
Reports have come out that certain doctors have become entangled in the web
00:51.9
of a pharmaceutical company that shamelessly peddles its profits.
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through a deplorable, multi-level marketing scheme.
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Mr. President, my dear colleagues,
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an all-Filipino-owned pharmaceutical company engaged in distributing antihypertensive,
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anti-diabetic, antibiotic products and health supplements nationwide
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called Belkens Pharma Incorporated is at the center of this issue.
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Aside from a few of them, I have learned that this company is almost full of doctors,
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specialist doctors.
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From the data from the Securities and Exchange Commission,
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the dead directors or officers are
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Luis Raymond Goh as President,
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Alina Fatima Jujilla as Vice President,
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Joseph Vincent Goh, Corporate Secretary,
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Jaime Cayetano Jr., Treasurer,
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and 58 other stockholders who are doctors from different parts of the country.
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We have often heard about the incentives given to doctors
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and the Philippine Medical Association Code of Ethics
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that they can receive gifts.
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It is also mentioned in Article 6
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that only gifts of reasonable value that primarily entail benefit to patient care
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or related to the health of the patient,
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may be accepted by a physician from a health product company.
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This is also mentioned in the Mexico City Principles,
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which is the International Code of Business Ethics
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in the Bio-Pharmaceutical Industry
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endorsed by APEC in 2011
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and which is signed by the Philippines
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and implemented by the DOH
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through the Administrative Order 2015-16.
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Ang kanyang hulay
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ay pinagkatawalan kay mga mga kapag انas than,
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olases pang hasahan sa isang sa Swagos.
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Ang mga doktor ay pinagkapaanan sa sRes gedo
03:15.1
na negos læng Macaw,
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Nakakain sa mÃnimo ng pag-aregoy ka.
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Sa kaso ng Belkens, mukhang nakalimutan ng mga doktor sa likod ng kumpanyang ito ang sinumpang oath at iba ang pamantayan nila.
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Kung kadalasan na natin narinig ang kalawatkanan na sponsored na trips abroad sa mga doktor at stakeholders ng pharmaceutical companies, ang Belkens ay namimigay ng cash incentives na umaabot sa milyon o kaya naman ay mga mamahalig sasakyan na nasa milyong-milyong halaga rin.
03:54.2
This company, which has been in operation since 2006, shamelessly recruits doctors, not medical representatives, into existence.
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It's fold, enticing them with promises of exorbitant commissions and lavish incentives in exchange for prescribing their medicines, a blatant violation of their ethical principles, betrayal of trust bestowed upon them by their patients, and a flagrant disregard for the sacredness of their profession.
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Under the guise of advancing medical science and improving patient outcomes, these doctors turned evidence.
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Entrepreneurs exploit their positions of authority to promote and prescribe medications that may not necessarily be in the best interest of their patients.
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They prioritize profits over patients, prioritize their financial gains over the well-being of those they have sworn to serve and protect.
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Mr. President, my dear colleagues, allow me to walk you through their business scheme.
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Ang mga nirecru...
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Krut nilang mga doktor na bubuo ng core group ay tinatawag na Jedis.
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Dahil mahilig sa Star Wars, ang mga may-ari ng kumpanya na sila Dr. Luis Goh, Berwin Flores, at James Cayetano.
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Not everybody can be part of this group.
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Only doctors who are recommended by a Jedi and all other Jedis will be accepted.
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If there is one Jedi who disapproves of a particular doctor for whatever reason,
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that doctor cannot be a Jedi.
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They do this approval process via the Jedi Viber Group.
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The reason why a Jedi recommends a doctor is mostly based on friendship, practice, and influence.
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Belkens started predominantly with a group of cardiologists.
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Gradually, they tapped endocrinologists, diabetologists, pulmonologists, neurologists, internists, and family physicians.
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The recommended Jedis go through the nurturing lecture conducted by Dr. Luis Goh.
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The objective of this lecture is to teach doctors financial freedom
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and that Belkens is the only pharmaceutical company that can make it possible.
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Their productivity is regularly monitored.
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Once they reach the target productivity, they level up to Jedihood.
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Once already a Jedi, they can enjoy all the benefits of a Jedi.
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These are the four...
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Number one, 8% rebates based on monthly productivity, usually around 2 million pesos.
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Under the milestone program point system, one point is earned from the minimum 2,700 worth of prescribed brand sales.
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Earned points can be used for redemption of items such as gadgets, household items, or foreign travel.
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One point is equivalent to 100%.
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Yearly performance bonus based on the percentage of the total contributions of the sales of Jedis against all of the Jedis.
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Number four, dividends and growth of sales which is based on the total number of shares the doctor holds.
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Number five, and on top of that, is what they call as the annual Jedi Star Tour.
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Depende kung nahit ng doktor ang kanyang 3.5% productivity target, maari silang bigyan ng Asian.
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European or U.S. Tour package.
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At panghuli, nanggagaling naman si rebates sa mga cash or luxury items tulad ng dream car nila.
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Convertible sa mga cash, mamahaling kotse, Rolex, at iba pa ang mga naipong rebates.
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Para maging Jedi, kailangan nilang mag-prescribe ng mga gamot ng Belkens.
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Maging mga supplements na i-benta ng kumpanya, kailangan man o hindi ito ng pasyente.
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Nasa 250,000 hanggang 500,000.
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Ang entry level ng investment nila.
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The Jedis also earn from the prescription of the downline doctors they recruit.
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If the downline doctor is not an investor, the recruiting doctor earns a 6% rebate from every prescription of company products made by the downline doctor.
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The company also has a category of second investors who are called Padawans.
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In the fictional universe of the Star Wars,
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Star Wars films, a Padawan is a Jedi apprentice.
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They do not have downline doctors.
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Padawans are entitled to receive dividends and rebates and earn milestone points.
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Unlike other pharmaceutical companies, the Belkens model is different and doctors tend to stick with it because of its attractive benefits.
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Most of them are enticed by the leveling up scheme.
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Dahil madami silang na-recruit, natural lamang na mabilis ang paglago ng kumpanya.
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Mula sa isang bilyon na benta noong 2016, tumas pa ito tumabot sa 3.2 bilyon noong 2018 at limang bilyon noong 2019.
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The scheme is not only about making money but also hurts the credibility and integrity of the medical profession.
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The doctors who engage in such unethical practices undermine public trust in healthcare professionals and cast a dark shadow.
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Mula sa isang bilyon na benta noong 2016, tumas pa ito tumabot sa 3.2 bilyon noong 2019 at limang bilyon noong 2019 at limang bilyon noong 2019 at cast a dark shadow.
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Over the noble work of dedicated physicians who strive to uphold the highest ethical standards.
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We cannot allow this unethical conduct to continue.
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It is our responsibility to denounce and eradicate such practices.
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Nakapanlulumong isipin na habang pinipilit natin na gawing abot kaya para sa mga may hirap nating kababayan ang presyo ng mga gamot
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sa pamagitan ng mga pagbibigay ng diskwento,
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gaya ng Senior Citizens Act o ang batas na nagpalawig ng manipisyo ng mga persons with disabilities o PWDs at iba pa,
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ay may mga doktor na nagdadagdag na mapasanin sa kanilang mga gastusin.
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Under the Generics Act of 1988, all medical, dental, and veterinary practitioners, including private practitioners,
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shall write prescriptions using the generic name.
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The brand name may be included if so desired.
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Nakasaad din sa batas,
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na mga drugstores at iba pang mga kagaya nito ay may responsibilidad.
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Nakipaalam na bumibili na maaari silang bumili ng ibang produkto na may kahintulad na generic name.
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Dapat binibigyan ang karapatan na bumibili ng mga kapamilya at hindi matali sa brand na inirekomenda ng mga doktor.
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Maaaring masuspindi ang lisensya ng doktor kung hindi susunod sa kautosan ng batas na ito.
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while it is not illegal,
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for medical practitioners or professionals to engage in business activities,
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it is highly unethical when a pharmaceutical company owned by doctors
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hires other doctors as agents and pays them commissions based on the prescriptions they give to their patients.
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This practice becomes even more concerning
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when these doctors are also required to meet a quota
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for the number of prescriptions they give out.
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This type of behavior is not only unethical but also prejudicial to the well-being of Filipino patients.
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To prescribe drugs from doctors who are agents or distributors of Belkens is a clear conflict of interest under the Mexico City Principles and the Code of Ethics for Doctors.
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The trust and confidence that patients place in their physicians are paramount.
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To support these practices, doctors are required to provide their patients with the necessary medical care.
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To support these practices, doctors are required to provide their patients with the necessary medical care.
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To support these practices, doctors are required to provide their patients with the necessary medical care.
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To support these practices, doctors are required to provide their patients with the necessary medical care.
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To preserve this trust, medical practitioners must adhere to the highest ethical standards.
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This includes the strict prohibition on physicians benefiting financially from the medications they prescribe
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as established by various international protocols.
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Such a measure ensures that patients' welfare remains a top priority in all medical decisions,
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free from any financial bias.
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Such a measure ensures that patients' welfare remains a top priority in all medical decisions, free from any financial bias.
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In bringing to your attention this matter, I implore you, Mr. President, my dear colleagues,
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to condemn this reprehensible exploitation of some medical practitioners for personal gain.
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May I emphasize, Mr. President, that those allegedly involved represent only a fraction of our countries,
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more than 28,000 practicing doctors.
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Hindi ko po sila nilalahat.
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Naniniwala ako na mas nakakarami pa rin ang mga kababayan natin doktor
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ang nananatiling tapat sa kanilang sinumpang tungkulin alinsunod sa kanilang Code of Ethics.
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I move to have this issue investigated by the appropriate committee to enable us to craft the needed legislation.
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It's probably high time that we come up with a legislation similar to the United States,
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the anti-kickback statute,
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that prohibits the knowing and willful payment of remuneration to induce or reward patient referrals
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or the generation of business involving any item or service payable by the federal health care programs.
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Now as I close, I urge our medical professionals to reaffirm their commitment to the Hippocratic Oath
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and reassert their dedication to the highest ethical standards of medical practice.
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The Filipino people deserve nothing.
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Nothing less than your unwavering devotion to their health and well-being,
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free from the influence of greed and self-interest.
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Thank you, Mr. President.
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Thank you very much, Senator Estrada. Thank you.
