Discover the truth behind the competitive landscape of the medicine industry in the Philippines through Mr. Jake Maderazo’s compelling column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Maderazo brings to light a concerning situation where a small Filipino-owned pharmaceutical company, Bell Kenz, is seemingly under attack by larger competitors in the anti-diabetic and hypertension market. You can read more about it here: https://opinion.inquirer.net/173317/bell-kenz-a-target-of-competitors.
It’s evident that suspicions are high regarding the motives behind this attack on Bell Kenz, especially after it was revealed that a certain Dr. Tony Leachon, allegedly close to influential figures like Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and pharmaceutical companies like Unilab, has been involved. Dr. Leachon’s affiliations, including being a Pfizer fellow and his connections within the industry, raise questions about the integrity of the accusations against Bell Kenz.
Tony Leachon happens to be a very close friend of Health secretary Ted Herbosa see link: https://www.facebook.com/DrTonyLeachon/photos/a.463905947118400/1717073058468343/?type=3. Online, Tony Leachon despite being a doctor is a Pfizer fellow see link: https://twitter.com/DrTonyLeachon/status/1433666166321418240. Tony Leachon does not hide his links with several pharmas. A photo of Leachon with Unilab OVP John Dumpit see link: https://www.instagram.com/drtonyleachon/p/B8dGrzvl0or/.
During the Dengvaxia controversy and COVID-19 pandemic, several medical experts accused Leachon of being an alarmist see link: https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/19/expert-warns-covid-19-cases-quietly-going-up.
Moreover, Bell Kenz, established by medical professionals in 2006 with the noble aim of providing affordable yet effective medicines to Filipinos, has garnered widespread trust among both patients and doctors alike. Numerous medical practitioners attest to the efficacy and affordability of Bell Kenz’s products, contrasting sharply with the higher-priced alternatives offered by some competitors.
Despite its commendable mission and track record, Bell Kenz faces relentless pressure from rival companies, with attempts to undermine its business operations, including alleged buyout offers and accusations of multi-level marketing tactics. However, Bell Kenz’s CEO and President, Dr. Luis Go, vehemently denies these allegations, emphasizing the company’s adherence to legal and ethical standards.
In fact, during a recent hearing chaired by Senator Bong Go, Bell Kenz executives stood firm against baseless accusations, reiterating their commitment to transparency and compliance. Dr. Go clarified that the company’s incentives to doctors are part of standard industry practices and are aimed at ensuring affordability for patients, not at recruiting healthcare professionals into any MLM scheme.
Bell Kenz’s unwavering dedication to providing quality healthcare solutions at reasonable prices should be celebrated, not undermined. Join the growing chorus of voices advocating for fairness and integrity in the pharmaceutical industry by standing in support of Bell Kenz. Together, we can ensure that the health and well-being of all Filipinos remain a top priority.
Several doctors say Leachon wants to become Health secretary for a loooong time already. A joke is doing the rounds saying that Leachon’s moustache will turn grey first and heaven forbid if Leachon becomes our health secretary. Other doctors meanwhile said that Leachon wants to be health secretary to hide the ignominy of his brother’s graft accusation. Tony’s brother, Doy was once accused of graft and corruption while he was mayor of Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro see link: https://www.rappler.com/nation/89182-sandiganbayan-suspension-leachon-mindoro/
Currentph.com made several inquiries and found that several doctors are indeed incensed against what’s happening against Bell Kenz. Founded in 2006, Bell Kenz Pharmaceuticals is a firm established by medical practitioners to provide cheaper or reasonably priced medicines for Filipinos. Several sources revealed that doctors are fed up with the higher priced medicines being provided by some pharmaceuticals where many are “placebos” or lesser efficacious drugs.
Doctors who solicited their take on this issue against Bell Kenz said that Bell Kenz’ medicinal products are not just reasonably priced (and even lower than competitor) but also very efficacious. That’s why millions of Filipinos and thousands of doctors trust Bell-Kenz.
With the evident success attained by Bell Kenz in such a short time, two of its competitors are reportedly moving to put out the firm from business. The fact is, several attempts have been undertaken by one of these firms to “buy out” Bell-Kenz. One of these firms, a pharmaceticial who owns several pharmacies, hospitals and drugstores even threatened several Bell Kenz executives that they hold an “ace” against the company. This firm reportedly has a UNIVERSAL lab. The other competitor, pharma, is a foreign-named company.
Bell Kenz is being accused of multi level marketing. During a hearing by the Health Committee chaired by no less than Senator Bong Go, Bell Kenz CEO and President Dr. Luis Go defended their company from malicious accusations. ” We are not an MLM company and we are not recruiting doctors,” says Go in a hearing which saw several legislators trying to bully the prominent cardiologist.
Go says that like any other pharmaceutical company, it adheres to the law and ethical standards. It is not illegal or unethical to give incentives to doctors because doctors also procure medicines directly from them with the assistance of pharmacists. As part of its incentive sales program, Go gives discounts to doctors on the medicines they take. That explains why some doctors can give discounts to impoverished patients. And because of Bell Kent’s cheaply priced yet efficacious medicines, many Filipinos had availed of their medicines cheaper than Unilab products.
Go also said as compliance with the Mexico protocol, Bell Kenz requires doctors to disclose their transactions. During the hearing, it appears that Bell Kenz officials are above board and are not hiding anything.
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So it can be true that this is just a fight and bullying of the more established pharmaceutical company to a local company. Did Mr. Lechon work with Pfizer or Unilab before and for how many years? Was he the same person who was removed from the DOH as a Special Adviser of the DOH with Secretary Herbosa as Secretary because he doubted the DOH during the pandemic ? Link: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106315 Sya ba ay panggulo at hindi tunay na health reform advocate?
Well. We from the Pharma know what they are doing. We appreciate the senate inquiry. They can lie while under oath but they know how they have corrupted the industry. As a media person you should do more resarch and find out the truth. They give 8% rebates to doctors. Ask them to go after their Sales Quota. They have specialists who discuss how much more sales they need so they could sustain their “milestone”. Car, etc. They prescribe products although not needed by the patients. They give P20k SNR cards to doctors who they are recruiting. They hold “nurturing” events in expensive hotels to recruit doctors to their cause. Worse their products don’t even have BA/BE studies. They corrupt the Phil Heart Center Cardio fellows even before they graduate. These are corrupt evil practitioners who compromise the integrity of the medical profession.