Our New Scam Presentation

[DrQ]

We took an invitation to a dinner for "pain relief". We had a decent steak dinner and saw a presentation on stem cell injections. The presentation was right out of school of Timeshare Relief and RCI presentations we had attended.

There were many anecdotal claims with some YouTube vids of how stem cells can rebuild tissue from:

• Cardiac damage
• Arthritis
• Neuropathy
• HIV

They didn't make statements that it would actually treat these conditions, just testimonies of "believers". The cost, $5,000 to $18,000 and I bet that was just to get started and of course it is not covered by insurance.

It looks as if the only reason they get away with this is that they are operating under the IND (Investigation New Drug) provision of the FDA.

The FDA has an advisory page concerning Regenerative Therapies:

Important Patient and Consumer Information About Regenerative Medicine

There continues to be broad marketing of unapproved products considered regenerative medicine therapies that are intended for the treatment or cure of a wide range of diseases or medical conditions. These products require FDA licensure/approval to be marketed to consumers.

www.fda.gov

 

[WaikikiFirst]

We took an invitation to a dinner for "pain relief". We had a decent steak dinner and saw a presentation on stem cell injections.

for the You Can't Take It With You set

 

[moonstone]

An American friend we met in Belize was getting stem cell injections for her knee for a few years and did get some relief. The last year or so the relief time started being shorter and shorter until her Orthop. surgeon said she needed a new knee as nothing was going to help anymore that all the cartilage was gone. She went ahead with a replacement and is pain free now. She wanted me to go to her Dr while we were down there last winter but I decided to stick with what I have been getting from my home (Ontario) Orthop. Dr. I get Durolane or Synvisc shots which are artificial synovial fluid (the substance your body produces to lubricate joints) that is injected right into the knee joint (ouch!). I get about 6-8 months of at least 50%, usually closer to 75% pain relief from the shots and unlike Cortisone, the stuff does not disintegrate the cartilage. the shots are expensive (around $500. Cndn. each and not covered by our Govt drug benefits) but DH's pension insurance benefits cover the total cost. I am on the lsit for a replacement but unfortunately it appears my name is going to come up while I am down south for the winter.

~Diane

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

It looks as if the only reason they get away with this is that they are operating under the IND (Investigation New Drug) provision of the FDA.

Or, the FDA says the drug/procedures must say they are not used to diagnose or treat any disease (I know that is ironic). That is how supplements get around FDA regulations, because if the supplements were used to treat a condition, they must be classified as a prescription or OTC drug.

TS

 

[DrQ]

Or, the FDA says the drug/procedures must say they are not used to diagnose or treat any disease (I know that is ironic). That is how supplements get around FDA regulations, because if the supplements were used to treat a condition, they must be classified as a prescription or OTC drug.

TS

Sorry, but if they are using IND to allow them to inject their concoction, then:

• It should be in a double blind study
• They should PAY ME for providing THEIR RESEARCH DATA.

Otherwise this is just modern day snake oil.