Doctors’ group warns vs surge in illegal medical practice
A group of physicians on Thursday expressed concern over increasing reports of individuals engaging in the unauthorized and illegal practice of medicine as they urged the public to be more cautious and vigilant.
“We have received alarming reports of individuals performing medical procedures and offering diagnostic or treatment services without the legal authority to do so. These unlawful acts not only violate existing laws but also endanger the health, safety and lives of the Filipino people,” the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) said in a statement.
Regulatory enforcement
It noted that there are already “documented cases of injuries suffered by patients at the hands of these unqualified individuals.”
According to the group, the prescription and administration of any medication is “within the realm of the legal practice of medicine” and should only be done or directly supervised by a licensed physician.
“Please ensure that the individuals providing you with medical care are licensed physicians with valid certificates of registration issued by the PRC [Philippine Regulation Commission],” the PMA said, adding that the public may verify the status of a doctor through the PRC website.
The group said it is actively coordinating with government agencies as well as other stakeholders to raise awareness about the issue and promote regulatory enforcement.
“The PMA strongly condemns these illegal practices and calls on law enforcement authorities to urgently investigate and prosecute these offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” it said.
“The unauthorized practice of medicine is not only a criminal offense—it is a direct threat to human life,” the group added. “Let us all work together to uphold the integrity of the medical profession and safeguard the health of our nation.”
Unauthorized practitioners
Last week, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested a Vietnamese national for allegedly practicing medicine without a license and selling medications in Manila without authorization.
At least nine more Vietnamese nationals were arrested in August during three separate operations conducted by the Southern Police District (SPD) and the NBI in Makati and Parañaque cities for alleged illegal medical practice.
The foreigners were found conducting cosmetic procedures in their beauty clinics, offering services such as botox injections and fillers.
The SPD earlier also urged the public to verify the credentials of medical practitioners before undergoing any procedure, and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
