DOH to go after spas offering stem cell therapy

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) will crack down on spa and salon centers offering stem cell therapy to regulate the procedure in the country.

In a press briefing, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that spa and salon centers should not offer stem cell therapy and the public should be wary about such establishments.

“We have been very liberal in allowing those things but the moment it becomes already a public concern – it is becoming popular – we should warn the public, when the public begins to think it is now the standard of care,” Ona said.

Under DOH Administrative Order (AO) 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, facilities doing the procedure have to be accredited by the health department.

The AO restricts the use of genetically altered stem cells and tissues of human adults and the umbilical cord, fat-derived human stem cells, and live animal stem cells.

It also 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. 

Ona said that with the implementing rules and regulations on stem cell therapy and cell-based therapy now out, the DOH could now go after salon and spa centers that provide such services. 

He added that the DOH intends to warn spa and salon centers to stop the practice and if they continue, the health agency in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government will close these facilities.

“I was told that you could even see signage saying that ‘stem cell available here.’ It’s just like balut being sold on the road,” Ona said.