Following complaints, PHL doctors' group warns against illegal stem cell treatments

The Philippine Medical Association issued a warning against illegal stem cell treatments, according to a report on Balitanghali on Monday.

 

PMA said they had received several complaints of xenogenic treatments, where animal stem cells are used.

 

Only the autologous stem cell treatment, which does not involve foreign substances, is approved by the Department of Health. Such treatment takes stem cells from the patient's own blood or bone marrow.

 

Health Secretary Enrique Ona earlier said only stem cells from human bone marrow, blood, and umbilical cords are safe.

 

“We already know today that the safest and most effective cellular preparations are those that use the patients’ own cells – called autologous human cells… Their safety and efficacy [are] well established especially those derived from the bone marrow and peripheral blood. Umbilical cord stem cells also have a long track record of safety and efficacy,” Ona said in a previous report. 

 

Meanwhile, Ona said stem cells from other sources are very risky. “In the meantime, the public should be careful about receiving cell preparations that are being offered in the Philippines and elsewhere, such as embryonic, aborted fetal, genetically altered and especially animal stem cells,” he said.

 

In illegal treatments by foreign doctors, the patient is told to check in to a hotel and injected with stem cells from animals, the Balitanghali report said. 

 

PMA stressed that these doctors, who charge P1 million per injection, are not licensed. PMA called on those who have fallen prey to this modus to file a complaint with the association.

 

As early as last year, both DOH and PMA had been warning the public about stem cell treatments, as the procudure became more and more popular.

 

"Kailangan pumunta ka diyan sa kilalang doctor, or kilalang hospital which is known for honestly, competence, credibility," PMA President Dr. Leo Olarte said in a previous report.

 

Last May, the Food and Drug Administration warned that those who get treatments in non-health facilities risk contracting infections diseases and severe complications. 

 

In its Advisory No. 2013-012, FDA said the following stem cell preparations require FDA approval:

 

 

—Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News