Hospital Vice Super Accused of Soliciting Bribes|北榮醫師控副院長索賄案 雙方互告
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A Taipei Veterans General Hospital cardiologist surnamed Chen recently accused a hospital vice superintendent Chen Shih-ann of soliciting bribes from pharmaceuticals. Since then, the two have filed mutual lawsuits. Meanwhile, the hospital issued a statement saying it will conduct an internal investigation.
Recently, a Taipei Veterans General Hospital cardiologist named Chen Ying-hwa published a post on her personal Facebook account where she accused Taipei Veterans General Hospital vice superintendent Chen Shih-ann, who is also a cardiologist, of soliciting bribes from pharmaceuticals. According to Chen Ying-hwa, Chen Shih-ann even specified that the money be paid to a Taiwan Heart Rhythm Society bank account. In return, he would ensure that the hospital used the pharmaceuticals' new drugs.
He (Chen Shih-ann) often discussed drug procurement with manufacturers. I mentioned unwilling donations of two million to three million on my Facebook. If you refused to meet his demands, then he would make sure the hospital wouldn't use your drugs.
In response, Chen Shih-ann said the allegations are baseless. This incident is currently being investigated by judicial authorities and no explanations will be provided. Doctors have long had close relationships with pharmaceuticals. Some domestic pharmaceuticals will sponsor medical science conferences and hospital activities, and even donate money to doctors' foundations. The Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation says Taiwan can learn from the United States' Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which increases the transparency of financial relationships between health care providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Pharmaceuticals and medical equipment companies are compelled to disclose all their transactions with doctors on an annual basis. This is meant to prevent increases in drug procurement costs.
If hospitals encourage doctors to prescribe medicine more frequently or prescribe higher amounts in order to introduce medicine, this could increase the burden on the health insurance system. We also worry that unnecessary medicine is being prescribed.
Four pharmaceuticals have been named in relation to this incident. They say all of their interactions with medical personnel comply with International Research-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association regulations. Meanwhile, Taipei Veterans General Hospital said it has a strict oversight system for all medical equipment and supplies procurement, and Chen Shih-ann is not involved. It has already launched an internal investigation into the allegations, and welcomes reports of wrongdoing.
