Financial risks posed by unproven cell interventions: Estimation of refunds from medical expense deductions in Japan

Taichi Hatta; Kazuki Ide; Misao Fujita; Tsunakuni Ikka

doi:10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.03.015

Financial risks posed by unproven cell interventions: Estimation of refunds from medical expense deductions in Japan

Stem Cell Reports. 2022 May 10;17(5):1016-1018. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.03.015. Epub 2022 Apr 21.

Authors

Taichi Hatta¹, Kazuki Ide², Misao Fujita³, Tsunakuni Ikka⁴

Affiliations

¹ Shizuoka Graduate University of Public Health, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka 420-0881, Japan.
² Division of Scientific Information and Public Policy, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Research Center on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
³ Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), KUIAS Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. Electronic address: misao-fujita@cira.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
⁴ National Cancer Center Japan, Institute for Cancer Control, Division of Bioethics & Healthcare Law, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.

Abstract

Master et al. (2021) declared that the unproven stem cell intervention (SCI) industry is a global health problem. We fully agree with this opinion but would like to point out that there are financial risks. In this letter, we estimate the total refund amount paid by the government for cell-based interventions offered under private practice in Japan.

Publication types

Letter
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Comment

MeSH terms

Japan
Stem Cells*