CCMC starts probe into plaint vs doctor

CEBU – The Cebu City Memorial Medical Center (CCMC) has started the investigation into the complaint against one of its doctors who allegedly forces a patient to buy non-generic drugs.

The investigation stemmed from a complaint received by CCMC director Dr. Myrna Go from a certain Nestor Cababahay last January 27.

In his complaint, Cababahay narrated that last January 24, one of his employees, Simon Ly, was brought to the CCMC for physical examination after he figured in an accident.

After the medical assessment, one of the doctors allegedly issued non-generic drug prescriptions to the patient.

Rona Calimutan, who brought Simon Ly to the hospital, bought the prescribed drugs at a nearby pharmacy. But since the drugs contained generic names, she asked the doctor to check the medicine she bought.

To her surprise, the doctor advised Calimutan to return the medicine and ordered her to buy only what was written on the prescription paper before the patient can leave the hospital.

Calimutan later learned that the prescribed drugs, which are quite expensive than the generic ones she bought earlier, are only sold at one pharmacy located at the CCMC area.

Upon learning of the incident, Cababahay went to CCMC together with Ly to confront the doctor. But the doctor said that the order came from his superior.

During interview over a local radio station yesterday morning, Go said they have started the investigation into the case.

She said she asked the grievance committee tasked to do the investigation to order the doctor and his superior to submit their explanations on the case within 72 hours.

The result of the investigation will be on Monday or Tuesday, Go said.

The Department of Health is strictly implementing the issuance of generic medicine to patients in government hospitals. — Johanna Natavio/LPM (THE FREEMAN)