Panamanian Scientists Demand Crackdown on Unproven Stem Cell Clinics

A group of Panamanian scientists is calling on the Ministry of Health to take decisive action against clinics offering unproven stem cell therapies. In a study published in the prestigious journal Stem Cell Reports, the researchers highlight the dangers of these treatments, which have been linked to serious complications such as blood clots, tumors, and vision loss.

The study, titled ‘Unproven stem cell-based interventions marketed as treatments in Panama: An urgent call for enforcement actions,’ details how international companies have exploited legal loopholes since 2013. These clinics use aggressive marketing on social media and travel magazines, often featuring testimonials from public figures, to lure local and international patients.

Despite the approval of Executive Decree No. 179 in 2018 to regulate clinical translation, the scientists argue that lack of enforcement has allowed the illegal market to flourish. The authors, members of the National Bioethics Committee of Research, urge Panama to adopt strict regulatory measures similar to those in Australia and Canada, which have successfully dismantled unregulated transplant markets.

The scientists emphasize that their goal is not to hinder innovation but to protect ethical scientific research in Panama. They warn that fraudulent treatments damage the country’s scientific reputation and undermine legitimate regenerative medicine. The final call to the Ministry of Health is clear: move from paper to action, impose sanctions, and educate the public to eliminate risky medical tourism.

Article and image source: panamaamerica.com.pa