THE MEDICAL ACT OF 1959

Case Overview and Summary

The Medical Act of 1959

Objectives and Implementation (Sections 1-2):
- Standardizes and regulates medical education, physician examinations, and medical practice in the Philippines.
- Creates the Board of Medical Education and the Board of Medical Examiners.

Board of Medical Education (Sections 3-7):
- Composition: Officials from the Departments of Education, Health, and Private Schools, a medical practitioner, and a university representative.
- Functions:
    - Prescribe minimum requirements for medical school admission, facilities, faculty, curriculum, and student intake. (Section 5)
    - Approve hospitals for medical training. (Section 5)
    - Enforce rules and regulations for medical education. (Section 5)
- Minimum required pre-medical courses and units specified. (Section 6)
- Medical course duration and subjects specified. (Section 6)
- Admission requirements for medical schools. (Section 7)

Board of Medical Examiners and Physician Registration (Sections 8-27):
- Prerequisite for medical practice: Pass board exam and obtain registration certificate. (Section 8)
- Qualifications for board exam candidates. (Section 9)
- Definition of "practice of medicine" and exemptions. (Sections 10-12)
- Composition, qualifications, tenure, and compensation of the Board. (Sections 13-15)
- Duties of the Board Secretary. (Section 16)
- Rules and regulations for board exams and registration. (Section 17)
- Exam dates, fees, and issuance of registration certificates. (Sections 18-20)
- Scope of board exams and passing criteria. (Section 21)
- Administrative investigations by the Board. (Sections 22-27)
    - Grounds for reprimand, suspension, or revocation of registration. (Section 24)
    - Rights of respondents and appeal process. (Sections 25-26)
    - Reinstatement after revocation. (Section 27)

Penal and Other Provisions (Sections 28-32):
- Penalties for illegal practice of medicine: Fine of ₱1,000 to ₱10,000, imprisonment of 1 to 5 years, or both. (Section 28)
- Injunctions against illegal practice. (Section 29)
- Appropriation of ₱20,000 for implementation. (Section 30)
- Repealing clause for inconsistent laws. (Section 31)
- Effectivity dates for different sections. (Section 32)