By: Jet Villa, InterAksyon.com March 27, 2013 8:08 PM
InterAksyon.com The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Health will crack down on spas and salons that offer stem cell therapy, Secretary Enrique Ona said Wednesday.
Ona said they will be guided by the new implementing rules and regulations that were formulated to regulate the practice of stem cell and cell-based therapy in the country.
Our efforts at regulating the practice of stem cell therapy in this country are aimed at safeguarding the welfare of our patients and the general public by making sure safe, effective and ethical stem cell modalities and practices are within emerging international and global standards considering the very complex nature of this therapy, he said.
Initially, the DOH will order spas and salons facilities to stop offering stem cell therapy or face closure.
We have been very liberal in allowing those things but the moment it becomes already a public concern we should warn the public, he said.
Ona added that the guidelines also require healthcare facilities to be accredited by the DOH if they want to continue practicing stem cell therapy.
The DOH has created the Bioethics Advisory Board to implement the guidelines by evaluating facilities and the protocols used by applicants for accreditation.
DOH Administrative Order No. 2013-0012, or the Rules and Regulations Governing the Accreditation of Health Facilities Engaging in Human Stem Cell and Cell-based or Cellular Therapies in the Philippines, prohibits for human treatment and research the creation of human embryos and their derivatives, the use of aborted human fetal stem cells and their derivatives, and plant parts labeled as stem cells.
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DOH to crack down on spas, salons offering ' stem cell ' services