Guidelines for cell and gene therapy products to be enforced from 2021

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry's guidelines for cell and gene therapy products (CGTPs) would be enforced starting from 2021.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye (pic) said this was to give stem cell industry players time to adopt the guidelines as the ministry does not want to hamper the growth of the industry.

"For the ministry, we view this industry as important even though it is in its infancy stage," he said at the Malaysian Association for Cell Therapy annual symposium on Saturday (Nov 10).

The guidelines were established in 2016.

Dr Lee also said the National Blood Centre would be involved in facilitating the growth of the stem cell industry through its blood cord bank and the National Stem Cell Coordinating Centre which was set up in 2014.

"These show some of our efforts in developing the industry," he added.

He said the Ministry is also looking into the appeals by healthcare industry players who are lobbying for patients' right to import medication for personal consumption and the option to try experimental treatment.