Senator wants Pfizer probed for alleged bribe try

Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Tuesday moved to have US drug firm Pfizer Inc. investigated for its alleged "unethical" techniques to derail the implementation of Cheaper Medicines Law. Roxas, chairman of the committee on trade and commerce, filed the Senate Resolution No. 1202 amid reports that Pfizer had tried to influence President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo against signing the executive order that would pull down the prices of 22 essential medicines. Roxas said they have also called the attention of the US government regarding Pfizer's possible violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for allegedly trying to lobby its “sulit card" scheme to water down the law “Pfizer Inc. has apparently continued its lobby efforts to derail and impede the swift implementation on the law," Roxas said in a statement. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile had earlier claimed that Pfizer offered a five million discount cards (sulit cards) and promotional posters featuring the photos of President Arroyo and Health secretary Francisco Duque III. “Obviously these were meant to influence the President against signing the executive order on the maximum retail price," Roxas said. Pfizer, for its part, categorically denied the allegations, saying it has always sought to provide wider access to quality medicines. It also said the accusations “were grave affront" to its reputation. Roxas said they would invite the company officials in the hearing to shed light on the issue. - GMANews.TV