Stricter code of ethics sought for doctors

Doctors can only avail of hotel accommodation, transportation fare and meals when traveling under the sponsorship of pharmaceutical, cosmetics and healthcare companies.

Dr. Rey Melchor Santos, Philippine Medical Association president, said under their revised Code of Ethics these companies can shoulder only these expenses when they invite doctors for a conference locally or internationally.

“If they invite a doctor to lecture on health education, they can still sponsor,” he said. “But if the doctor wants to have some recreation, it should be at his own expense and not the company.”

Speaking at a forum organized by the Philippine College of Physicians, Santos said the old PMA Code of Ethics was vague and had no “clear-cut guidelines” on the matter.

It just stipulated that companies could provide “reasonable subsidies” to invited physicians, he added.

Santos said the PMA had reviewed and amended its Code of Ethics after noticing that many physicians are being featured as endorsers of various products.

Though the practice is not illegal, PMA believes that it is unethical because doctors are not supposed to promote any particular product, he added.

Santos said the new guidelines still allow companies to sponsor a medical program on television or radio but no doctors could directly endorse or promote their products. – Sheila Crisostomo