Complaint Filed to Suspend Doctors’ Licenses
Human rights lawyer Erin Tañada has formally filed a complaint urging the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to suspend or revoke the medical licenses of two doctors. The complaint centers on their alleged involvement in a multi-level marketing scheme linked to Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc., a local pharmaceutical company.
According to sources, Bell-Kenz recruited doctors to prescribe its medicines in exchange for commissions and luxury items. This troubling practice raises serious ethical concerns, as it exploits patients and undermines medical integrity.
“Doctors are sworn to protect life, not profit from patients by turning them into mere ‘sales targets,’” Tañada emphasized. He added that the poor suffer twice—first from costly branded medicines pushed by this scheme, and second from the betrayal of those entrusted to safeguard their health.
Alleged Violations and Legal Responses
The complaint names doctors Luis Raymond Go and Viannely Berwyn Flores. It alleges violations of several laws, including Republic Act 6675 (Generics Act), RA 10918 (Philippine Pharmacy Act), RA 11223 (Universal Health Care Act), and RA 11765 (Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act).
In response, the legal counsel for Go and Flores, Atty. Pedro Tanchuling, dismissed the complaint as baseless, claiming it only aims to damage their clients’ reputations. He noted that neither the PRC nor any medical organization had previously charged the doctors with misconduct.
Furthermore, Tanchuling said that his clients have not yet received the official complaint. He reminded that PRC regulations prevent them from publicly discussing the case and urged Tañada to exercise the same restraint to avoid influencing the commission’s review.
“We will vigorously pursue all legal remedies against anyone who seeks to defame or intimidate our clients,” Tanchuling declared.
Call for Broader Investigation
Tañada urged the PRC to expand its investigation to other doctors linked to Bell-Kenz. He stressed that restoring trust in the healthcare system is crucial to ensure patients are never treated as business opportunities.
Meanwhile, Bell-Kenz has denied the accusations of operating a pyramiding scheme. The company labeled the allegations as “misinformed and unfounded” and pledged to address the matter through appropriate channels.
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