Pfizer denies 'bribe' offer claim
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/13/2009 5:33 PM
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Duque: Collusion only Mar Roxas' 'illusion'
MANILA - Health Secretary Francisco Duque III called the alleged "collusion" between President Arroyo and pharmaceutical companies to stall the implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Law as merely an "illusion" of Sen. Manuel Roxas.
On Monday, Duque admitted that the President did meet last week with pharmaceutical companies, led by Pfizer, but denied that it was a secret meeting as Roxas alleged.
Duque said he was there in the meeting, along with Trade Secretary Peter Favila and several members of the lower house.
He said that during the meeting, the pharmaceutical companies expressed their concerns about the implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Law, saying that a direct notice should have been given to pharmaceutical companies regarding the matter.
He said Mrs. Arroyo told the companies to lower the prices of their medicines, or else the government would be forced to implement price regulations, particularly the maximum retail prices (MRPs) on 22 essential medicines.
The companies then asked for a ten-day grace period to come up with their own list of prices.
Duque also admitted that he was asked by Malacañang to skip Monday's Senate hearing, since they only received the Senate invitation earlier in the day.
Duque added that it was a good thing they did not go to the meeting because the pharmaceutical companies were allowed to explain their side.
Pfizer explains side
Meanwhile, in a statement, Pfizer explained the absence of its officials from the Senate meeting, and said the allegations about the bribe try are both "unfounded and unhelpful."
"Pfizer is committed to improving the health and well-being of Filipinos and believes that active and open dialogue with all key stakeholders on healthcare delivery is a crucial element. Last week's meeting was undertaken in this spirit, and allegations to the contrary are both unfounded and unhelpful," the statement from Pfizer read.
"Even prior to the passage of the Cheaper Medicines Act (R.A. 9502), our Sulit Patient Care Program over the past five years has helped 1.8 million Filipino patients live longer, healthier lives in partnership with the medical community," Pfizer said.
"Pfizer fully supports the Government's efforts to further improve healthcare delivery for the nation and seeks to achieve this via constructive dialogue," the multinational pharmaceutical firm said.
Sen. Manuel Roxas II previously accused the government of setting a "secret meeting" with Pfizer and other drug companies early this month to postpone the enforcement of the standard MRP for 22 essential medicines.
Bribe offer?
On Monday's Senate hearing, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said pharmaceutical giant Pfizer offered to provide 5 million discount cards to the government to impede the enforcement of the Cheaper Medicines Law.
The offer, which was purportedly rejected by the government, was made as President Arroyo was set to issue a maximum retail price (MRP) for 22 most prescribed drugs in the country as a provision of the Cheaper Medicines Law (Republic Act 9502), which was passed in 2008.
The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), however, made it clear that the offer was made to the Department of Health, and not to President Arroyo, and denied it was a bribe offer. With a report from Anthony Taberna, ABS-CBN News
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