Doctors under siege: The battle against Big Pharma’s coercive tactics
The medical community is now embroiled in a chilling clash “with big pharmaceutical companies, which is trying to fortify its market dominance in the drug dispensing business. More than 4,000 doctors are now threatened with investigations by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for alleged “unethical conduct” that may lead to suspensions or revocation of their licenses. Here is a statement on this issue submitted by a concerned medical practitioner that is expected to go viral on Facebook and other social media:
“Never in the history of medicine in the Philippines have doctors experienced such sustained harassment, intimidation, and coercion as they do now. In recent times, these abuses have been perpetuated by so-called pundits, paid columnists, and certain legal personalities. Well-funded and carefully coordinated, these actions are carried out under the guise of protecting the poor and marginalized—yet they have resulted in the repeated bullying of physicians.
In a rare show of unity, medical and surgical societies issued statements condemning the unverified and unfounded claims against surgeons in traditional and social media. Such actions “tarnish the reputation of individual doctors but also erode public trust in the medical profession”. The use of social media by unscrupulous individuals to blackmail and tarnish the image of doctors has been unprecedented compared to the past decades.
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Some columnists, actors, pundits, and non-authors weaponize their misleading narratives by altering algorithms, elective editing, and doctored screenshots to paint physicians as unethical and corrupt. The damage is not limited to reputations; it seeps deep into patient confidence and treatment choices. Personal attacks targeting physicians’ privacy and security abound, driving them to silence from public discourse.
The consequences can be devastating trust between doctors and their patients, including the health system, frays – undermining public health efforts and equitable access to care. Doctors may shift to defensive practice, ordering more tests or avoid novel therapies to stave off scrutiny. Patients may delay seeking care or question recommended treatments and many more.
These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg. There is this hegemonist Big Pharma, moving fast and swift, to consolidate market power, influence policy and shape the discourse around drug pricing and access- often under the pretense of innovation while prioritizing profits. Big Pharma has already engaged in weaponizing public relations, targeting physicians and undermining their reputations, with little or no substantiation, driven by aims of market dominance, exploiting the naive public to turn away from medical professionals- persuading people to doubt doctors’ ethics and the integrity of their clinical decisions.
This is not just a reputational issue – it affects patient care primarily. When the public has a deep distrust to their physicians and cannot distinguish fact from propaganda or false narratives, patient may delay care, doctors will practice defensively, and the trust to their physician’s healthcare system will erode. And not only that, but Big Pharma will also turn their gaze to the smaller companies lurking on the edges of the market. Big Pharma will employ a spectrum of coercive tactics to squeeze the life out of competitors. Aggressive litigations will be one of their tactics aside from using legal luminaries and columnist to paint their competitors as reckless and unethical. The result can have a chilling effect”-CONCERNED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER
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So there, which side will public opinion favor? Big Pharma or our more than 4,000 doctors?
PBBM’s political will and RSA’s realistic solutions will solve NCR’s flood crisis.
Both President Bongbong Marcos Jr and Businessman Ramon Ang, SMC chair gave different views and inspiring solutions on the perennial Metro Manila flooding.
Marcos Jr. said there are 1,058 flood control projects (P52.7B) in Metro Manila from July 2022 -May 2025. “There are 157 working pumping stations out of 170 and this cost government around P11.67B, but has become ineffective, because of the garbage problem”. He launched his Sumbong sa Pangulo website where the public can check report the status of flood control projects in their areas.
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On the other hand, SMC chair Ang offered free of charge to declog Metro Manila waterways by removing structures such as houses, schools including “sheet piles” illegally constructed over riverbanks and esteros because they are obstructing the flow of water. He offered to buy land for displaced schools and houses for relocation of affected individuals, again at no expense for government.
His track record on solving permanently the perennial flash floods along SLEX, Skyway and NAIA revealed the existence of clogged waterways, oftentimes including government dikes and riprap projects, canals, and even pumping stations contribute to the flooding. He made the offer in the presence of MMDA chairman Raymondo Artes and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
President Marcos thanked Ang for the offer and hopefully something concrete will happen in the next weeks. Today, MMDA is fully in charge of all flood control projects and waterways in Metro Manila, these includes dredging of waterways and operation of the 170 pumping stations. This arrangement was a continuation of former MMDA CHAIR and DPWH secretary Bayani Fernando where DPWH flood management department was transferred to the MMDA for better management and implementation.
But as Businessman Ramon Ang said, the recent habagat rains revealed all systems failed. We’ve seen how these obstructions on our waterways from manholes, houses, buildings, covered roads over esteros inflicted unprecedented floods in the metropolis. We hope a sweeping solution will happen this year or perhaps within our lifetime.
Motorcycle ride hailing: now a necessity for inclusive growth
The motorcycle ride-hailing industry is now an essential part of everyday life in the Philippines, and it deserves stronger support from the government to maximize its contribution to inclusive growth and national development.
It is anticipated that market value would reach $1.33 billion by the year 2030 and still expanding gradually. The growth is being driven by everyday commuters, delivery services, and communities that want economical and dependable mobility. The innovative motorcycle-hailing platform known as Angkas, with over 6 million users across the country, is the driving force behind this momentum.
George Royeca, President and CEO Angkas, said “Motorcycle ride-hailing has evolved beyond a convenience—it is now a public necessity.” The service ensures that working Filipinos get at their places of employment on time, delivers food and other necessities to their doorsteps, and provides tens of thousands of riders with steady means of means of subsistence. Because of this, this industry ought to be seen not only as a company, but rather as a collaborator in the process of nation-building.
As the President Marcos Jr., lays out his vision for infrastructure, digital transformation, and inclusive economic recovery, the industry of motorcycle taxis deserves a distinctive role.
It is easy to see the advantages. Amid traffic congestion and gaps in public transportation, the burden of commuters was reduced. The generation of income for thousands of rider-partners, many of whom are now primary providers for their families. E-commerce and logistics, two of the most important drivers of the digital economy, are supported. There is also the opportunity of services in places with restricted access to public transportation and therefore still underserved today.
Angkas already set the gold standard for safety, training, and professionalization. With a safety record of 99.997%, over 12 million downloads across the country, and a strong presence across the country, it is the industry leader. “This is a Philippine-grown innovation solving Filipino problems with Filipino solutions.”, Royeca said. “We can generate more employment, transport more people in an efficient manner, and experience quicker growth as a nation”. “That is, if government provides more assistance to this sector by ensuring clear regulations, promote fair competition, and integrating infrastructure”, he ended.
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