By: Jet Villa, InterAksyon.com August 13, 2013 8:42 AM

InterAksyon.com The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has given all health facilities practicing stem cell therapy and companies importing and producing stem cell products untilAug. 31to apply for accreditation and product registration, respectively.

Nick Lutero, director of the DOH-Bureau of Health Facilities and Services, said it will be considered illegal for facilities to do stem cell procedures if they fail to comply with the requirement.

Papatigil namin ang pag-conduct ng therapy. For those still continuing to practice, I think we have sufficient laws, particularly on the illegal practice of medicine. They could be criminally liable, he said in a chance interview.

Lutero lamented that only five hospitals have applied for registration although the DOH had issued the guidelines on this since March.

We have done preliminary visits sa mga hospitals na ito at mukang based sa initial inspection, merong sufficient compliance sa mga facilities, he said.

Companies importing and producing stem cell products, on the other hand, should apply for registration with the Food and Drug Administration, an agency attached to the DOH.

Products that will not be applied for registration will also be considered illegal after the deadline.

Experimental treatment not for free

Read the original here:
DOH gives health facilities engaged in stem cell therapy until Aug. 31 to register