Man practiced medicine for 20 years without a license, arrested by NBI

A 61-year-old man, who gives out prescription, consultation, and delivers babies in the past 20 years, was nabbed by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for practicing medicine without a license, according to the report on John Consulta on "24 Oras" Friday.

According to the NBI, they were approached by a former staff member of the suspect who confirmed that her former employer was not a licensed physician.

"Tumatanggap siya ng mga pasyente, nagbibigay siya ng mga medical advice. Tapos nagrereseta siya at nagtitinda din siya ng gamot dun sa kanyang klinika," said NBI Public Corruption Division Chief Atty. Cath Nolasco-Illescas.

(He receives patients, gives medical advice. He also prescribes and sells medicine at his clinic.)

The NBI also said the suspect has been pretending to be a doctor for 20 years and has many patients.

GMA Integrated News tried to get an on-camera statement from the suspect but he declined.

However, during a conversation with GMA Integrated News, the suspect said that he took the Medical Licensure Examination twice but failed in both times and that his intention was to help people.

Nolasco-Illescas said the suspect faces several complaints.

"Kakasuhan namin siya ng estafa, dahil nga nagpapanggap siya ng doktor kahit na hindi naman siya lesinsyadong doktor. Nagrekomenda rin kami na kasuhan siya ng illegal practice of medicine under the Medical Act," she said.

"Nagrekomenda din kami, dahil sa pagtitinda niya gn gamot sa kanyang klinika, nagrekomenda rin kami na kasuhan siya under the Philippine Pharmacy Act," she added. — BAP, GMA Integrated News