01:04.8
Thank you Mr. Chair.
01:06.8
Let me first thank the Senate Committee on Health chaired by Senator Goh for unearthing this particular scheme.
01:13.8
Secondly, I'd like to thank Senator Rapi Tulpo for exposing this during the last hearing.
01:18.9
And as you very well know, when I did a little investigation, I have found that what your allegations have been saying in the last hearing were true.
01:26.2
Hence, I issued immediately the administrative order.
01:29.7
Reminding all government physicians about generics and everything.
01:33.4
So, I'd like to expose to the committee certain things about the generics law, RA 6675, which was passed decades ago.
01:45.7
And this required all physicians to prescribe generics.
01:50.2
Actually, this is by law and there is a penalty therein when the physician does not prescribe the generic name.
01:57.4
So, all physicians, after we pass the generic.
01:59.7
We are supposed to prescribe the generic name. And if the physician does not follow this, there are penalties in the law. And this is something the committee can look into because the penalties are now so small because the penalties put in there.
02:16.7
For first offense, it is a reprimand. For the second offense, it is 2,000 to 5,000 pesos. For the third offense, it's 5,000 to 10,000 pesos plus suspension of 30 days of license.
02:30.7
Secretary, but you cannot prevent the doctors for also naming the brand names, correct?
02:36.1
Yes. So the prescription, according to the law, is you can write the generic name alone or you can put underneath the generic name, in parentheses,
02:46.2
your performance.
02:46.7
The doctor's preferred brand. But in the implementation, the patient is given the choice at the pharmacy level. They are given the choice to ask for the generic brand they like, not the choice of the physician.
03:02.9
So this is very clear in our generics law. And maybe we should look into the penalties to prevent all these scam, multi-level systems that are happening and that are benefiting some of our physicians.
03:16.7
For government, we only prescribe generics because in the government hospitals, we have to procure, based on the RA-9184, drugs that are listed in the Philippine National Drug Formulary.
03:33.0
So for government hospitals, we only prescribe generics. In fact, the non-generics are the ones that are prescribed in the private hospitals.
03:43.5
Also, when the universal healthcare laws are in place, we can only prescribe generic drugs.
03:46.7
So when the universal healthcare law was passed, our author for the universal healthcare law is here, we included provision of the law. It is Section 23, which created a bioethics committee.
04:02.1
And it also required, similar to the U.S., a Sunshine Act, wherein pharmaceutical companies are supposed to report to the DOH and the FDA, Section 35, I'm sorry, Section 35, the ethics.
04:16.7
And public health policy and practice under this law. And I'm very happy to note that this is all actually being done.
04:23.6
And pharmaceutical companies are supposed to report to our FDA all grants, all contributions and gifts that are given to public hospitals, private hospitals, etc.
04:34.9
We also signed the Mexico Principle and the Kuala Lumpur Principle. These are code of ethics, international code of ethics, and we are signatory to this.
04:45.0
The Mexico Principle.
04:46.7
The Mexico Principle is the code of ethics for the biopharmaceutical industry. So all businesses, all businessmen in the field of biopharmaceutical business should also follow this guideline.
04:59.7
That means the gifts are prohibited, excessive gifts are prohibited to be given to those that will benefit from them.
05:06.8
The Kuala Lumpur Principle is also the same in 2011. It also, this is for medical devices. Ito naman po yung mga medical devices.
05:16.7
We are one with the Committee on Health and all the senators who have made the privileged speeches yesterday regarding this multi-level marketing.
05:26.7
Number one, it is unethical. Now, let me also add that we also have the Law on Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
05:37.7
If a physician is practicing in a government hospital, he is considered a public official or a public servant.
05:46.7
the rules of the government service apply and accepting gifts is punishable under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in the Philippines.
05:59.8
And we can file, if we prove this, that they did indeed receive excessive gifts like luxury cars and expensive watches and full-paid trips, and this is not disclosed or there is no disclosure, this will have to be, we have to file case.
06:16.7
In fact, after that hearing, Mr. Senator, we also asked the director of the hospital involved, which is a government hospital, to start to investigate if there are government doctors in this institution that are either stockholders or practicing this multi-level marketing practice in their private practice, in their practice in that hospital.
06:40.2
Because then we can use these laws to actually file cases against them. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
06:46.7
Mr. Chair, Makasingit, maraming salamat sa iyo, Secretary Ted Herbosa, sa pag-amin na yung mga sinabi ko noong last hearing ay totoo.
06:56.1
And that's very important to me na para alam natin ngayon na meron talagang nangyaring kababalagahan sa medical community na ito yung day lang kung bakit yung nag-hearing para maayos yung problema ngayon and we can pass legislation upang ma-address yung samotsaring problema.
07:16.7
Now, Mr. Chair, I will submit to this committee the list of doctors involved in the MLM scheme subject to verification.
07:30.0
Marami po ito. Kung babasahin ko ito isa-isa, baka hanggang mamayang gabi tayo.
07:37.1
But we have to investigate this and file appropriate charges if need be kung talagang sila involved.
07:45.5
Although may mga...
07:46.7
Copy ako ng cheque na in-issue ng Belkens sa mga doktor na involved dito sa scheme and then also itong sa Security Exchange Commission.
08:05.5
But mamaya, I just mentioned some names, a few of them, na pasok din na din sa scheme na ito. Pwede akong magtanong, Mr. Chair?
08:24.5
Dalawa actually, kay Secretary Airbosa.
08:27.9
Secretary Airbosa, hindi lang ba nalaman na meron ganitong klaseng scheme after may exposition?
08:35.5
O alam nyo na ito way before? Because you've been a practicing doctor before you became a Secretary of the D.O.H., am I right, sir?
08:45.2
Ang alam, trips to foreign conferences and probably meals in expensive restaurants.
08:53.5
But itong scheme wherein encryption is counted and a quota is made, yung multi-level marketing, ngayon ko lang nalaman na may ganong multi-level marketing.
09:05.0
And ngayon ko lang nalaman na ganon ka-exorbitant yung mga gifts from expense to luxury cars.
09:15.0
Granted, ngayon nyo lang po nalaman na meron palang ganitong klaseng scheme. Ngayon alam nyo na ang plan ninyo, sir.
09:24.4
So, nakausap ko na po ang FDA at pinainvestigahan ko na ang pharmacists, that kind of scheme, kasi they are violating the Mexico principle.
09:35.0
Which their CPR and their license to operate is actually based on.
09:39.7
Pangalawa, kinausap ko yung director ng ospital na medyo na-mention sa social media.
09:45.6
Putok na putok naman po kung anong ospital at inutusan ko siyang gumawa ng investigation.
09:50.3
Hinihintay ko pa po ang report noon.
09:52.7
Pangatlo, kinausap ko ang president ng Philippine Medical Association.
09:56.1
And natuwa naman ako naglabas si Dr. Kalimag ng issuance and reminder yung code of ethics na pinakita po ni Dr. Tony.
10:05.0
At yun ay nire-iterate din ni Dr. Kalimag.
10:10.1
At kinausap ko rin yung PCP president, si Ronjin Solante, para i-remind din lahat.
10:15.3
At nag-issue rin siya.
10:16.6
So, kumakausap naman ako dun sa mga mabukuting doktor natin, ng mga opisyal sa kanilang mga society, para tulungan ako.
10:24.2
Para dito sa, tulungan tayo, Senator Tull, para makita ang punot-dulo nitong problema nito.
10:30.9
Thank you. Thank you, Doc.
10:33.1
So, gagawa po kayo ng investigasyon tungkol dito.
10:38.2
Since we still don't have a law against these practice na conflict of interest ng mga doktor,
10:47.2
kasi involved sila sa MLM ng Belkens Pharma, Statutical Incorporated.
10:52.6
Kapag napatunayan na sila po ay guilty, ano pong klaseng sanksyon ang pwedeng maipataw sa kanila?
11:03.1
Ano po yung pwedeng maikaso sa kanila?
11:06.8
Ano pong pwedeng maiparusa sa kanila?
11:09.8
So, Mr. Chair, ang gagamitin nating mga penalty ay kung ano yung allowed by law.
11:16.1
Which is 2,000 pesos.
11:18.3
Merong suspension at may revocation.
11:20.2
Ako naman, na-interview ako kaninang umaga sa telebisyon at sinabi ko, kung ganito ko, exorbitant yung regalo, millions of pesos,
11:28.2
siguro namang pwede ang revocation dyan.
11:30.6
Kasi it's the gravity of the crime.
11:33.0
Bala po ang Board of Medicine ng PRC para mag-decide doon sa penalty.
11:37.5
Kung ano doon sa nakabase sa batas.
11:40.7
Ang isa ko pang nakita po, meron pang isang batas na pwede nating gamitin.
11:45.3
Bawal din po kasi sa mga doktor ang magbigay ng reseta, doon mo bilhin yung gamot sa kanyang clinic.
11:51.6
Meron tayong pharmacy law na naipatas, RA 10918.
12:04.3
Hindi ko akabisa doon, hindi naman po tayo abugado.
12:08.2
Pero may penalty din po doon.
12:09.8
Kasi ang penalty doon, bawal ang doktor magbenta ng gamot kung wala kang pharmacy license.
12:16.4
So, pharmacist lang po ang pwedeng mag-dispense ng gamot.
12:20.8
So, kahit makaka-reseta lang kami, pero hindi kami pwedeng magbenta sa aming mga klinika at opisina ng any gamot kahit put-sublipend.
12:29.7
So, Dok, ang tanong ko,
12:31.2
So, kapag nakakuha kayo ng proof na tulad nitong napakarami sa listahan ko, daan-daan po ito,
12:40.8
na kasama nga po sa networking ng Belkens, mga doktor, ano po yung maging immediate action ninyo?
12:52.0
Ano po yung maasahan ng tao pa yan?
12:54.2
Siyempre mo, Mr. Chair and Mr. Senator, we will ask for due process.
12:58.7
Siyempre, papasagutin natin sila.
13:01.2
At na-show cause ang hinihingi ng mga katastrofe.
13:02.9
Hingi nga po, sorry Dok.
13:04.1
Yun nga, tapos na tayo dun sa due process, tapos na na-show cause.
13:07.3
Pag na-prove na guilty nga sila, ano po yung pwedeng kahinatan nila?
13:12.6
So, number one, we can file charges.
13:14.6
Kasi pag nakita yung, kahit ethical to, pwede kong iakyat yan sa Board of Medicine for revocation of license, suspension of license.
13:22.2
Pwede ko rin iakyat sa, kung sa hospital namin, DOH hospital, pwede kong iakyat sa ombudsman for cases against these public officials po.
13:31.2
Okay. Ngayon naman dun sa PRC. PRC, magandang hapon po sa inyo. Kumusta po kayo? Nagkapi na po kayo?
13:40.8
PRC, marami na po ako natatanggap na reklamo, na inuupuan niyo po yung mga reklamo.
13:44.5
Senator, I would like to acknowledge the presence of Senator Tolto Lindino. Mabalik lang po siya.
13:51.5
Marami na po mga cases na inuupuan niyo. Now, ang tanong ko po, ano bang kailangan ng PRC?
14:01.2
At ng mga ebidensya na para yung mga doktor na inireklamo, agad-agad mapapatawan ng karampantang parusa or sanksyon.
14:11.2
And second question, bakit po ang bagal ng paglitis niyo ng kaso dyan po sa PRC na inaabot po raw ng siyam-siyam?
14:31.2
Thank you very much, Honorable Senator Tulfo. With the permission of the Chair, Senator Bongo,
14:40.3
let me provide the background on the adjudication of cases being filed with the Board of Medicine.
14:51.3
So all of these cases involving medical professionals are filed with the Board of Medicine.
14:58.2
And if there's a...
15:01.2
written complaint from the complainant, then they will have to file their complaint affidavit.
15:09.1
And the professional against whom the complaint was filed will have to submit a counter-affidavit.
15:18.5
Then we have processes like mediation, initial mediation.
15:22.4
If they don't agree, there's no agreement between the two parties,
15:28.6
then it's either...
15:31.2
Formal trial or submission of procedure papers.
15:34.9
Yung binabanggi po, yun yung due process. Tama?
15:38.0
Wala tayong problema dyan. Ang aking problema po, bakit napakatagal po ng due process ninyo?
15:44.7
Pakisagot po direct to the point, please.
15:47.8
Bakit po inaabot ng siyam-siyam?
15:49.8
Ang system po kasi namin is just like the system in the regional trial court, especially if it's a trial type.
16:01.2
So, magpe-present mo muna yung nagko-complain, and then magpe-present din yung respondents.
16:08.6
And it takes very long because of the number of respondents sometimes because, let's say,
16:14.2
the surgeon operated, and there are assistants, and there is a physician, medical internist who gives the clearance.
16:24.7
There's an anesthesiologist who performs the anesthesia.
16:28.6
So, medyo marami po.
16:29.3
Again, sorry to cut you short.
16:31.2
I'll give you an example.
16:33.4
Yung isang pasyente nagpa-opera, and then si doktor nakalimutan niyang tanggalin yung gunting sa loob ng katawan ng pasyente.
16:44.3
So, inoperan ulit yung pasyente, at nagkaroon ng complication, at grumabi yung kanyang sakit.
16:49.4
So, ano pang kailangan ng mga ebidensya doon?
16:51.1
Bakit pa kailangan nang kuha ng mga chichi-borechi?
16:53.2
Nandiyan na po yung ebidensya, XO, and all na nagkamali yung doktor.
16:59.4
Yung ganong klase mga kaso, inaabot.
17:01.2
Inaabot po ng sampung taon. Bakit po?
17:03.9
Nandiyan ang ebidensya.
17:06.1
Yes, Sir Honor. Pero dadaan pa rin ho sa proseso namin.
17:10.1
Ay no, dadaan sa proseso. Pero bakit po abuti ng sampung taon?
17:13.9
Nandiyan na nga po yung pasyente, pakita niyang x-ray na meron talagang gunting na naiwan sa loob ng kanyang katawan.
17:21.1
Papakita din niya yung nangyaring complication as a result.
17:24.4
Pakita din niya na siya ay naging grabe, nagkasakit, etc.
17:27.6
And then isasubmit dyan sa PRC.
17:35.4
We accept that the evidence that may have been presented is already solid or valid.
17:43.5
And can already result to a decision.
17:47.4
But the respondent sometimes comes up with, and the complainant comes up with expert witnesses
17:54.2
who are also physicians who may be giving contradictory,
17:59.1
opinions regarding that.
18:02.6
Ano pa po yung expert witness na kailangan?
18:05.0
E nandiyan na nga po yung x-ray ng pasyente.
18:07.7
In-admit siya, nakalagay ang pangalan ng doktor na nag-opera sa kanya,
18:10.8
yung araw na in-operahan siya, anong hospital yun,
18:14.0
at yung makikita doon na nagkaroon ng complication because of that gunting na naiwan.
18:19.7
Ano pa kailangan na pasikot-sikot para abutin po ng isang dekada?
18:25.2
Ang sa akin po kasi, kinumpara niyo po kayo sa RTC.
18:28.4
Iba po yung RTC, iba po yung PRC.
18:32.7
Please do not compare. That's apples and oranges, okay?
18:35.8
So sa PRC, mas madali ho dapat kayo makapag-action.
18:39.6
The fact na kayo po ay mga doktor din, I would assume some of you are doctors over there.
18:43.8
So you don't need expert opinions because you yourselves from among your group
18:48.7
are already experts.
18:50.6
Otherwise, you wouldn't be accepted sa PRC. Am I right?
18:54.1
So don't tell me about these expert doctors.
18:58.4
Kailangan pa mag-distigwa, etc., etc. All you need is one plus one.
19:01.7
One, may pasyente na may reklamo na naiwanan ng gunting sa loob ng katawan niya.
19:09.5
And then two, ito si doktor na inaamin niya siya ngayon nag-opera at inaamin niya na naiwan ngayong gunting.
19:15.9
Ano pang kailangan? Bakit abutin sampun taon, sir?
19:19.5
Right now, sir, I don't have the data regarding how long those kinds of cases are.
19:28.4
File of the cases that have been filed with the PRC for medical professionals,
19:36.4
212 unprofessional conduct, malpractice 7, negligence 249,
19:44.2
violation of code of ethics with the code of ethics of the PMA
19:48.7
adopted by the Board of Medicine 41, immorality 47.
19:58.4
We have the head of the Board of Medicine and the head of our legal division.
20:04.6
They may have the particular statistics regarding how long those clear-cut cases would stay
20:13.6
because we have the aging of cases filed against doctors and we admit that more than five years,
20:28.4
Meaning 313 out of 567.
20:33.0
Give me a list. Give us a list, doc.
20:35.6
Are you a doctor?
20:39.8
Give us a list, doc.
20:41.7
Yung mga kaso na nai-file and then yung mga kasong nakabimbin
20:48.1
at yung mga kasong nabigyan niyo na ng resolusyon or na-resolve.
20:53.2
I want files of those, right?
20:56.9
We will submit...
20:58.4
Detailed report on those statistics, Your Honor.
21:01.3
Ito naman tayo kay Mr. Goh.
21:08.2
Since ang flow natin after Dr. Lechon,
21:12.6
pwedeng sagutin niya rin yung binisinta na.
21:16.0
Sundin natin yung flow of our hearing.
21:19.8
Yung presentation niya, Mr. Luis Goh.
21:23.0
Good morning, Honorable Chairman.
21:25.5
Can I make an opening statement?
21:31.7
And to the members of the community...
21:35.3
Mr. Chair, who is the one beside you?
21:38.5
He is my twin brother, po.
21:40.5
Ah, twin brother?
21:42.0
He's also our corporate secretary.
21:43.3
Anong pangalan niya?
21:44.9
Attorney Joseph Goh.
21:47.2
Isa kanina yung nasa likod, another Board of Director.
21:51.8
Dr. James Cayetano.
21:54.4
Board of Director din, po.
21:56.7
Dr. James Cayetano.
21:59.2
Dr. Vianelli Berwin Flores.
22:01.8
Puro po kayo, Doktor?
22:03.9
Are you the Doctor, Mr. Goh?
22:06.3
You're not related to Senator Goh?
22:08.3
I'm not related to Senator Goh, Your Honor.
22:11.4
How about Cayetano?
22:13.4
Are you related to Senator Cayetano?
22:17.8
How about Estrada? Wala?
22:20.1
Is Dr. Flores here?
22:26.6
Sige po. Go ahead, po.
22:28.2
Good morning, Mr. Chair, and esteemed members of the Senate.
22:33.3
I am Dr. Luis Goh, representing Belkens Pharma Incorporated,
22:38.8
a company committed to revolutionizing the healthcare accessibility in the Philippines.
22:44.9
Founded in 2006 by a collective of dedicated professionals,
22:50.1
Belkens Pharma emerged with a noble mission
22:52.5
to furnish our fellow Filipinos
22:58.2
with high quality but very affordable medicine.
23:02.5
Today, we stand proud,
23:04.3
with a dedicated workforce,
23:06.5
all driven by the same passion for advancing public health.
23:12.4
our ethos revolves around patient centric care
23:16.3
and economic empowerment.
23:18.7
We understand the profound impact
23:20.5
of the exorbitant medical expenses on the Filipino household.
23:25.4
Hence, we tirelessly strive
23:27.2
to alleviate the needs of the people with hätten isto.
23:28.0
We can alleviate this burden by delivering high-quality medicines at accessible rates. As the saying goes, in these times, falling ill is a luxury one cannot afford. However, at Belkens, we offer hope even in the face of illness, ensuring that essential medications remain both dependable and affordable for all.
23:53.4
Let me give an example. For patients with hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, a maintenance drug priced at Belkens will cost P128 per day with a savings of as much as P2,305 to P4,600 per month.
24:23.4
Or an equivalent of P27,000 to P55,000 a year. That is around P55,000 a year. Or P27,000 depending on the brand.
24:38.8
Mr. Chair, excuse me. Mabilisan lang po ito, Mr. Gov. Kasi mabaliman siya sabi mo. Isang tanong lang. Would you deny…
24:53.4
Wala po akong problema sa inyong negosyo, per se. Legitimate po yung negosyo ninyo. Meron kayong SEC registration, BIR, FDA approved yung mga drugs nyo. Wala tayong problema dyan, sir.
25:11.1
Ang tanong ko ngayon, would you admit or deny na yung may mga doktor na pasok sa MLM ninyo ay nakatanggap ng komisyon?
25:23.4
Yes or no? You are under oath. I remind you, Mr. Gov. Ulitin ko yung tanong ko para maging maliwanag. Would you admit or would you deny na yung mga doktor na pasok sa MLM ninyo ay nakatanggap ng komisyon coming from your company? Yes or no?
25:50.0
No, sir. Yes or no?
25:53.4
Yes or no lang po, please.
25:59.3
Makukulong ka ngayon. Because meron akong mga cheque na magpapatunay na kayo, yung kumpanya mo, nag-issue sa mga doktor na membro ni…
26:11.9
Yari ka ngayon. Kulong ka. You're under oath. Binigay kita ng chance. I'll give you another chance.
26:23.4
Bawa ka naman, Dok. Ulitin ko. Sure ka? I-deny mo? Meron akong cheque rate na yung mga doktor na membro ng MLM ninyo ay nakatanggap ng komisyon. You said that's…
26:41.7
It's not true po.
26:42.4
Okay. I rest my case, Mr. Chair. So mamaya, pakilinis lang sa baba.
26:53.4
Bunyog, halikan na kasama ka. Bunyog, kapag buklot ay may pag-asa.
27:02.5
Susungbis sa Yasmin Tanaw, isang pananaw. Sa bagong Pilipinas ang bunyog isisigaw. Bunyog, bunyog, bunyog.
27:23.4
Sa bagong Pilipinas ang bunyog ay may pag-asa.
