Palace warns public on stem cell therapy

MALACAANG warned Friday the public from seeking stem cell therapy following the complaint by a government official of feeling weaker after undergoing this kind of treatment.

In a press briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the Department of Health (DOH) will issue an administrative order regarding the stem cell treatments in the country.

"The DOH received several reports regarding the stand-alone clinics which are offering (stem cell therapies) for skin rejuvenation to make you look younger. That's why the DOH has already acted on it. It just happened that there was an incident that was highlighted," she said.

Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Antonio Villar has admitted of undergoing recently stem cell therapy in an upscale hotel in Makati City in the hope to cure bone pains. He claimed of spending around P900,000 for the treatment. But he said he only felt weaker after the therapy.

Valte said that the public should be aware that stem cell therapies are only being undertaken in the DOH-accredited hospitals and not in any hotel or stand-alone clinics.

She also said that those being accredited are the hospitals and not the doctors.

"Come August 31, hospitals should file their accreditation requirements for them to continue to offer this treatment, if they offer that (treatment). So there's an accreditation process," she explained.

Valte said that she was also told that stem cell treatment is geared toward a certain purpose and not "cure all" ailments.

There are also certain sources that are only allowed by the DOH, in particular, the Food and Drug Administration, she said.

The official also urged the public to inform the authorities of any establishments or medical practitioners who have been violating the law.

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Palace warns public on stem cell therapy