Bachelor In Science In Philippines Can't Be Equated With India's MBBS: National Medical Commission

The bachelor's in science course in the Philippines cannot be equated with the MBBS course in India as it comprises subjects of biology similar to that in classes 11 and 12 here, the National Medical Commission has said. The commission also said that according to rules, foreign medical qualifications or courses which are not equivalent to the MBBS course in India cannot be treated as eligible qualification for registration to practice medicine in the country. In a public notice issued on March 25, the National Medical Commission (NMC) said it has considered representations of students pursuing the BS (bachelor's in science) course in the Philippines seeking exemption or special dispensation, prior to publication of the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations 2021.

The NMC said that the BS and the MD courses are two separate degrees in the Philippines. "The BS course cannot be equated/included with MBBS course. Therefore, after the publication of gazette notification dated 18.11.2021 i.e. NMC's FMGL Regulations 2021, the students who have already taken admission for any foreign medical qualification/course which is not equivalent to the MBBS course in India, cannot be treated as eligible qualification for registration to practice medicine in India," the commission said. Whereas, students who have taken admission in the MD course in the Philippines prior to the FMGL Regulations 2021 can be considered, subject to fulfilling other prevailing eligibility criteria for registration, it said. The BS is a bridging course of bachelor of science for candidates seeking to join courses in the field of science and research in the Philippines, the NMC said, highlighting it comprises subjects of biology similar to that of