Section 7August 18, 2009, Sec./Art. 7

Section 6 of Republic Act No. 3720, as amended, is hereby further amended, to read as follows:

"(a) The FDA shall be headed by a director-general, with the rank of undersecretary, who shall be tasked, among others, to determine the needed personnel and to appoint personnel, below the assistant director level in coordination with the Secretary of Health.

"(b) The director-general shall be assisted by two (2) deputy directors-general, one for administration and finance and another for field regulatory operations.

"(c) The director-general and deputy directors-general shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

"(d) The director-general shall, referably, possess either a university degree in medicine or at least the relevant master's degree in pharmaceutical sciences or allied sciences, or equivalent executive course in any regulatory management. In addition, he/she shall have management experience in his/her field of discipline or profession and in any development, manufacturing, regulatory work or quality assurance of products as covered in this Act.

"(e) The Deputy Director-General for Field Regulatory Operations of the FDA shall, preferably, possess the relevant master's degree in pharmaceutical sciences or allied sciences, or equivalent executive course in any regulatory management. In addition, he/she shall have management experience in his/her field of discipline or profession and in any development, manufacturing, regulatoly work or quality assurance of products as covered in this Act.

"(f) The Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance of the FDA shall he a certified public accountant or shall possess a master's degree in accounting, management, economics or any business course, and must have management experience in a position related to his/her field of discipline or profession.

"(g) A person who was previously employed in a regular full-time capacity regardless of its consultative designation at higher management supervisory levels in regulated establishments, including related foundations, shall be disqualified from appointment as director-general and deputy director-general within three (3) years from termination of employment with the said establishment or foundation. All persons who are candidates for appointment as director-general and deputy director-general must disclose all their incomes for the past three (3) years from all establishments regulated by this Act. The director-general and the two (2) deputy directors-gencral shall, upon assumption into office, declare any conflict of interest with any establishment covered by the FDA, including their foundiitions.

"(h) Each center and field office shall be headed by a director director who shall be assisted by an assistant director. These directors shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health.

"(i) The existing directors of the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (BHDT) and division chiefs of the BFAD shall be given preference for appointment as directors and assistant directors of their respective centers: Provided, That if the current officers of the BFAD and the BHDT applying for the above positions lack the required third level civil service eligibility, they will have to comply with the said requirement within three (3) yearn from their appointment, otherwise their appointment shall be revoked immediately."