While Health Canada's regulatory system has not proven stem cell procedures, patients continue to seek out private clinics to have the experimental treatments performed, according to CDC News.
Here are five insights:
1. Nearly 25 private clinics across Canada are advertising stem cell injections directly to patients. Of those clinics, six have been contacted by Health Canada to provide additional information on the stem cell treatments.
2. No stem cell therapies have been approved for human use aside from the use of bone marrow transplants to treat blood disorders and cancer. However, the equipment needed to harvest the cells is easily obtained and is a licensed medical device.
3. Within a few weeks, patients can undergo the treatments after filling out a request online. Patients have reported paying between $1,700 and $5,000 for different injections.
4. Health Canada classified stem cell therapies as drugs under the Food and Drug Act. Additionally, scientists researching stem cells reported concerns over the growing private stem cell industry.
5. To date, there have been no reports of serious adverse effects from the unapproved injections of stem cells into knees or joints. However, there is no observation or official tracking for the private clinics promoting the experimental treatments.