Govt Cracks Down on Unregulated Stem Cell Treatments
What Happened
The Union Health Ministry has issued a fresh advisory directing states and healthcare establishments to strictly regulate stem cell therapies. The advisory says stem cell treatment can be offered as standard clinical care only for conditions specifically approved by the Ministry. It also reiterates that the use of stem cells for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is restricted to duly approved clinical trials under the National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research, 2017.
Key Takeaways
The government is targeting clinics offering unproven stem cell treatments as routine therapies. Non-compliance could lead to professional misconduct proceedings, cancellation of registration, and financial penalties, in line with a Supreme Court judgment and guidance from the National Medical Commission (NMC).