BPOM warns of prison terms for unregulated stem cell therapies

The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has issued a warning to clinics and healthcare facilities regarding the unregulated offering of stem cell therapies. Professor Taruna Ikrar, Head of BPOM, stated that any party utilizing, distributing, or selling pharmaceutical products, including stem cells, that do not meet established safety and pharmaceutical standards could face severe criminal penalties.

Violators may face up to 12 years in prison and fines of 5 billion rupiah for every item sold that fails to meet standards. This warning comes as BPOM observes an increase in clinics promoting cell therapies with various claims. The agency noted a distinction between healthcare facilities developing therapies based on scientific principles and those merely promoting services without clear standards for profit.