Only 3 metro hospitals allowed to perform stem cell procedures

MANILA, Philippines - Only three health facilities in Metro Manila have been accredited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to perform stem cell therapies.

In a joint advisory of the FDA and the Health Facilities Service Regulatory Bureau dated July 1, these are The Medical City and Asian Stem Cell Institute, both in Pasig City, and the Makati Medical Center.

The facilities have passed the standards of safety, efficacy and quality required under the Department of Health’s Administrative Order  (AO) 2013-0012, according to the advisory signed by Health Secretary Janette Garin.

The AO contains the rules and regulations on the accreditation of health facilities engaging in human stem cell and cell-based or cellular therapies in the country.

“After careful review of the applications for accreditation and inspection for compliance to current good tissue practice and manufacturing practice… the health facilities have received the certificate of accreditation for such therapies, ”the advisory stated.

Garin said the FDA accreditation covers only hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, corneal resurfacing with limbal stem cells and skin regeneration with epidermal stem cells.

 “The public is advised to seek stem cell therapies only at accredited health facilities,” she said.

Garin said any other therapies or establishments offering stem cell therapies outside of those mentioned in the joint advisory are not authorized and should be avoided by the public.