DOH eyes stem cell therapy guidelines

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) plans to come up with guidelines on the practice of stem cell therapy in the country by the end of the month.

DOH Secretary Enrique Ona said a consultative working task force has been convened to provide recommendations on how to deal with stem cell technology, which is gaining popularity for its supposed therapeutic and aesthetic effects.

Ona said stem cell technology is still considered an “investigational intervention” in many countries. This means that there is still no scientific evidence to prove its quality, efficacy and safety.

“Stem cell research employs both autologous (from same person) or allogenic (from another organism like animal or another human cell or tissue sample) method. Because there are many steps in the preparation of this laboratory and invasive procedure, there needs to be a regulatory framework to protect Filipino citizens,” he said.

Stem cell treatment for cancer patients costs between P2 million to P2.5 million and P1.6 million for cosmetic or anti-aging purposes.

While the DOH has not considered the technology as a public health issue since only the rich can afford it, the agency is worried that unscrupulous individuals would take advantage of its growing popularity.

Ona ordered the creation of the task force that will involve Food and Drug Administration acting director Kenneth Hartigan-Go; Philippine Council for Health Research and Development director Jaime Montoya and scientists from the University of the Philippines’ National Institute of Health and Marine Science.

The task force will come up with regulatory framework that will cover five areas. These are the sources of raw stem cell materials, observance of good laboratory practices in the preparation of the tissue and the cells, credentialing of scientists involved in the technology, monitoring of marketing claims and regulation or accreditation of facilities.

Ona said the government would not allow the use of aborted fetuses or human embryos for the procedure.

“There is a need to ensure that the biological raw materials are documented and validated and follow infection-free procedures. There is need to know if the materials to be injected came from animals or from human tissues,” he said.