‘Stem cell experimental patients should not pay’

MANILA, Philippines - A former health secretary and recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award yesterday expressed dismay over the pronouncement of Health Secretary Enrique Ona that patients undergoing experimental stem cell therapy would have to pay for the procedure.

In a forum of the Philippine College of Physicians, Marita Reyes said she is “saddened” by Ona’s position on the controversial procedure, explaining that it is the patients who take the “most risk” when they participate in clinical trials, so the procedures should not be at any cost to them.

She also noted that clinical trials could be beneficial to patients only when they are successful.

“The ones who face the highest risk, the ones who face the harm are the patients, not the sponsor or the researchers. And yet they will be the ones to pay? Excuse me. It’s really unjust,” said Reyes, who is now co-chair of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board of the Department of Science and Technology.

Former health secretary Alberto Romualdez has echoed Reyes’ opinion, adding that “what is also saddening is that there are examples of experimental (procedures) that have not really been established as standard of care.”