To ensure unhindered access of 'stem cell therapy' for treatment by physicians, the Union Health Ministry has proposed to statutory distinguish it from 'stem cell drugs,' making the latter alone liable to the usual screening and trial runs stipulated for new drugs.
Apprising an international conference on stem cells of the government's move, Drug Controller General of India S Eswara Reddy today said the Union Health Ministry has proposed amendments in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to regulate the Stem Cell-based drugs.
The proposed amendments would demarcate 'stem cell- based drugs' from the 'stem cell therapy' and ensure that the physicians using the latest medical technique in treatment is not legally inconvenienced.
Reddy was speaking at the 4th international conference SCSICON 2018 organised by the Stem Cell Society of India.
The proposed amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rule, 1945, demarcating 'stem cell drugs' from the 'stem cell therapy' have been incorporated in the Gazette of India published on April 4.
Explaining the proposed demarcation between the two key terms, Stem Cell Society of India president Dr Alok Sharma said the cells or tissues taken from the patients body and merely subjected to cleaning and separation for administering immediately without its manipulation outside the body is termed as 'minimally manipulated stem cells.'
Elaborating further, Dr Sharma said the cells or tissues taken out from the body and multiplied or subjected to genetic manipulation in the laboratory and subsequently stored for administering it to the same or another patient are termed 'more than minimally manipulated stem cells.'
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