Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Issues Release About Stem Cell Therapy

The ICS would like its members to be aware of a recent Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) release regarding stem cell therapy, because the issue has been spotlighted in an investigative news series that may generate patient questions. On May 31, 2019, the IDFPR issued a release that it calls a “warning [to] consumers about unproven stem cell therapy treatments and those administered by providers who may not be licensed to so.” The IDFPR cites warnings provided by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Department reports that it is investigating several consumer complaints related to stem cell therapy. The agency has expressed that it has two major concerns, the first being that chiropractic physicians may not provide this type of therapy absent collaboration with a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or other authorized health care provider. The Department’s second concern (even where the practice is structured and staffed in line with IDFPR interpretation) is the potential risk of this therapy due to unsupported claims regarding its efficacy and serious adverse effects in some reported cases.

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The IDFPR has invited members of the public to file complaints in cases where the complainant believes he/she has been treated by a provider who is not properly licensed to administer stem cell treatments, that the treatments caused harm, that the treatments were not performed with the requisite standard of care, or that the claims for the product were untrue. The agency has also stated it will work with the Office of the Attorney General on this matter.

Here is a link to the IDFPR release.

The ICS will continue to monitor this issue to provide up-to-date information to members.