State Medical Regulators To Take Up Dubious Stem Cell Clinics in November: Adverse Events, More Education on Table

The next step in possible California state regulation of rogue stem cell clinics will come Nov. 7 at a meeting of the state's medical board. 

The news follows a meeting last week by a two-person task force of the medical board to deal with the growing use of unproven treatments. (See here and here.)

The California stem cell agency reported on its blog, in a piece by Yimy Villa, about possibilities the board is considering:

• "Guidance and education materials for medical practitioners
• "Sample informed consent documents designed to inform patients about the potential risks and benefits of stem cell treatments
• "Public education materials
• "An adverse event reporting system"

In response to a query by the California Stem Cell Report, Carlos Villatoro, a spokesman for the board, said it would hear an update at its meeting in November in San Diego.
He released a statement that said.

"The board’s Stem Cell and Regenerative Therapy Task Force will continue to work on this issue with the goal of providing recommendations on stem cell and regenerative therapies and developing some guidelines that California physicians and patients can follow. The task force would meet again to obtain input on any recommendations and/or guidelines."

The California stem cell agency has taken a "Three Rs" position on the rogue clinics: "Regulated, Reputable and Reliable."

No public meeting of the task force is scheduled at this time. Interested parties can send comments and suggestions to April.Alameda@mbc.ca.gov.