Products with stem cells from animals, plants not allowed, says FDA

Products containing stem cells from plants and animals, as well as some types derived from human embryos, are not authorized in the Philippines, health authorities said.

 

The Food and Drug Adminsitration made this clear in a circular dated July 8, where it outlined the rules for the registration of human stem cell-based products.

 

"Stem cell-based products of animal origin as well as the other products classified as restricted (in Administrative Order 2013-0012) are not allowed to be registered or used until the issuance of a separate circular for these products," FDA head Kenneth Hartigan-Go said in FDA Circular No. 2013-017.

 

He also said other stem cell-based products that are not allowed include those containing:

 

 

The circular came amid various health products claiming to contain stem cells from placenta and animals made available in the market.

 

But Hartigan-Go also said this circular does not cover cellular or cell-based therapeutic products meant to replace blood volume or alter coagulative properties of blood. —KG, GMA News