DOH eyes review of 2013 stem cell treatment guidelines

ACKNOWLEDGING changes in stem cell treatment methods, the Department of Health (DOH) is considering a review of guidelines under DOH Administrative Order No. 2013-0012 issued in 2013.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, at a recent forum, said,” We will have to review it and make it (updated) to the current practice of stem cell therapy.”

He said guidelines on the accreditation and licensing of stem cell treatment facilities can be upgraded to ensure that treatment can be more accessible while remaining up to standards in terms of safety and sterility.

“The licensing is being implemented for the safety of the clients of that stem cell clinic… stem cell facilities have been mushrooming now that stem cell therapy has become even simpler,” he said.

Under AO 2013-0012, human stem cell and cell-based or cellular therapies shall be performed only in health facilities accredited by DOH.

Non-hospital based facilities engaging in human stem cell and cell-based or cellular therapies in the Philippines, on the other hand, are required to have linkages with at least one Level 3 hospital licensed by the DOH through a contractual agreement.

So far, only six facilities have been accredited by the DOH to perform stem cell therapies, These are the Lung Center of the Philippines and National Kidney and Transplant Institute, both in Quezon City; Makati Medical Center in Makati City; Asian Stem Cell Institute, Pasig City; and St. Luke’s Medical Center Inc. in Quezon City and Taguig City.

Herbosa issued the statement on the heels of the death of a 39-year-old woman in Quezon City after allegedly undergoing stem cell therapy.