HB09061: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A PHYSICIAN’S ACT REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2382, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MEDICAL ACT OF 1959"
This bill repeals the "Medical Act of 1959" and establishes a comprehensive "Physicians Act" to standardize, upgrade, and regulate medical education, licensure, and the practice of medicine in the Philippines. It creates key bodies such as the Medical Education Council (MEC), the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine (PRBM), and the Post-Graduate Medical Education Council (PGMEC) to oversee various aspects of the medical profession, from basic medical education and internship to post-graduate training and specialization. This new framework is intended to ensure high-quality medical education and practice, ultimately upholding patient welfare and safety.
The bill outlines detailed curricula for medical degrees, strict admission requirements for medical colleges, and comprehensive guidelines for medical internships and post-graduate training programs. It also addresses the regulation of medical practice, including telemedicine, and sets forth qualifications and responsibilities for physicians, as well as penalties for violations and medical malpractice. A significant aspect is the integration of the profession under one national organization, the Integrated National Professional Organization of Physicians (INPOP), to promote professional development and ethical conduct.