AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of The Philippine Veterinary Medicine Act of 2004

Declaration of Policy and Objectives (Sections 2-3)
- Upgrade the practice of veterinary medicine to protect animal population through proper diagnosis, treatment, and surgery
- Promote development of competent and globally competitive veterinarians
- Govern the administration of licensure exams, registration, and licensing of veterinarians
- Supervise and regulate the practice of veterinary medicine
- Integrate veterinarians under an accredited professional organization

Definition of Terms (Section 4)
- "Veterinarian" is a registered natural person with a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card
- "Accredited Professional Organization" refers to the professional organization of veterinarians accredited by the Board and Commission

Professional Regulatory Board of Veterinary Medicine (Sections 5-12)
- Composition: Chairman and two members appointed by the President
- Qualifications: Filipino citizen, good moral character, registered veterinarian, 10 years of practice experience, not affiliated with veterinary schools or review centers (Section 6)
- Term: 3 years, may be reappointed once, member serving last year becomes Chairperson (Section 7)
- Powers and Functions: Enforce the Act, determine qualifications of applicants, prepare exam syllabi, register successful examinees, issue certificates and IDs, prescribe continuing education guidelines, revoke or suspend registrations, adopt Code of Ethics and Technical Standards, investigate violations, recommend curriculum changes to CHED, promulgate rules and regulations (Section 8)
- Compensation and allowances comparable to existing regulatory boards (Section 9)
- Grounds for removal: Neglect of duty, incompetence, violation of ethics codes, exam irregularities, criminal conviction (Section 10)
- Under administrative supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) (Section 11)
- Submit annual report to PRC (Section 12)

Examination and Registration of Veterinarians (Sections 13-28)
- Licensure examination required, except as allowed by the Act (Section 13)
- Exam subjects: Veterinary Parasitology, Pharmacology, Medicine, Zootechnics, Microbiology and Public Health, Physiology, Anatomy, Pathology (Section 14)
- Qualifications: Filipino citizen or foreigner with reciprocity, good health and moral character, no conviction of moral turpitude, Veterinary Medicine degree from accredited school (Section 15)
- Passing score: 75% weighted average, no rating below 60% in any subject (Section 17)
- Certificate of Registration and Professional ID Card issued to passers (Section 18)
- Fees for examination, registration, and ID card prescribed by PRC (Section 19)
- Oath required before practice (Section 20)
- Grounds for refusal to register: Conviction of moral turpitude, immoral conduct, unsound mind, violation of Animal Welfare Act (Section 21)
- Grounds for revocation, suspension, or cancellation of registration/permit: Causes in Section 21, unprofessional conduct, malpractice, fraud, substance abuse, abetting illegal practice, false advertising, failure to report diseases, violation of rules and regulations (Section 22)
- Rights of respondent: Counsel, speedy hearing, confront witnesses (Section 23)
- Administrative investigation by the Board (Section 24)
- Appeal to PRC and Court of Appeals (Section 25)
- Reinstatement after 1 year from revocation, subject to Board approval (Section 26)
- Indication of registration number, ID, and tax receipt required on documents (Section 27)
- Automatic registration for veterinarians on existing roster (Section 28)

Practice of Veterinary Medicine (Sections 29-34)
- Acts constituting practice: Examination, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, prescribing remedies for animals, attesting animal health, rendering veterinary technical services, attesting fitness of animal products, holding positions requiring veterinary knowledge, teaching veterinary subjects (Section 29)
- Unlawful practice without valid registration and ID (Section 30)
- Foreign reciprocity required for foreigners to practice (Section 31)
- Roster of registered veterinarians to be kept by the Board (Section 32)
- Penal provisions: Fines of ₱50,000 to ₱100,000 and/or 1 to 5 years imprisonment for unlawful practice, impersonation, fraud, abetting illegal practice, using revoked/suspended registration, false advertising (Section 33)
- Enforcement by PRC, assistance from government agencies (Section 34)

Miscellaneous Provisions (Sections 35-39)
- Funding for implementation to be included in General Appropriations Act (Section 35)
- Implementing rules and regulations to be promulgated within 60 days (Section 36)
- Separability clause (Section 37)
- Repealing clause for inconsistent laws (Section 38)
- Effectivity 30 days after publication in Official Gazette or newspaper (Section 39)