Cell-based therapy providers need DOH accreditation

THIS REFERS to the article titled “Cell therapy to manage pain and degenerative ailments” (Lifestyle, 12/29/15), stating, among other things, that Regenestem Manila offers cell-based therapy for pain management and Orthosport Manila is a clinic that operates under Regenestem Manila.

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 2013-0012, titled “Rules and Regulations Governing the Accreditation of Health Facilities Engaging in Human Stem Cell and Cell-Based or Cellular Therapies in the Philippines,” health facilities like Regenestem Manila and Orthosport Manila should be accredited by the Department of Health. Based on the records of the Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB), both facilities are not accredited by the DOH; hence, their operations are illegal. Accordingly, the DOH, through the HFSRB, issued Dr. Roderick Yalung, medical director of Regenestem Manila, an order to cease and desist from operating these facilities and to submit to HFSRB within three days from receipt thereof a written explanation why no legal charges should be filed against the two facilities.

In this connection, we would like to inform the public that any false claims, including advertisements, marketing and other related activities for products with claims of being cell-based are prohibited and constitute a violation of AO 2013-0012.

—KENNETH Y. HARTIGAN-GO, MD, undersecretary, Department of Health

We have forwarded the same DOH letter to Regenestem Manila and its management has informed us that the clinic’s accreditation papers are in order and that the legal representatives of Regenestem and the DOH are in the process of drafting a joint statement to clarify the issue.

—INQUIRER LIFESTYLE SECTION