by Buena Bernal Posted on 07/06/2013 9:06 PM |Updated 07/08/2013 2:15 PM

DOH ON STEM CELL. (Left) Health Secretary Enrique Ona and (right) FDA Director Kenneth Hartigan-Go talks to Rappler about stem cell therapy. Photos by Rappler/Naoki Mengua

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) Rappler talked to Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director Kenneth Hartigan-Go to clarify the governments stance on stem cell therapy.

Stem cell therapy or regenerative medicine is a medical intervention that uses the bodys repair cells to substitute old cells. It is done for medical and aesthetic purposes that are still being investigated, according to the health secretary.

Asked why the treatment was allowed in the market despite no definitive curative and preventive benefits, FDA's Hartigan-Go said authorities never allowed the treatment to begin with.

Its just there. Now, the DOH under Secretary Ona's leadership took action," he said.

(READ: DOH: Stem cell therapy not yet proven to be curative)

On March 18, the DOH issued the rules and regulations for the accreditation of health facilities engaging in human stem cell and cell-based or cellular therapies in the Philippines.

The FDA has also released a circular on Monday, Jully 8, regarding the guidelines on registering stem cell-based products. The circular covers all products with a "claim, label, or poster" that says stem cells.

(READ: FDA Circular: Registration of Stem Cell-Based Products)

Excerpt from:
6 things you need to know about stem cell therapy