The Irish Medicines Board has confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into the provision of stem cell treatment in Cork.
It is understood that people with multiple sclerosis were being offered stem cell therapy through a GP’s clinic in Cork at a cost of between €18,000 to €30,000.
The therapy is not licensed in this country and medical experts say it has no proven benefits for diseases of the brain and nervous system.
The Dáil was told today that people with multiple sclerosis are becoming victims on numerous levels because of the Government's failure to introduce rules on stem cell therapy.
Referring to a report in today's Irish Examiner, Green Party TD Dan Boyle said that people who have multiple sclerosis are falling victim to those representing themselves as regulated practitioners.
Speaking before the Health Committee this morning, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, said that she had just learned of the issue, and would be contacting the Irish Medicines Board today.
Stem cell treatment is highly controversial and, according to the Department of Health, is unlicensed in Ireland for the treatment of diseases such as multiple sclerosis because research in the area is only at an experimental stage.
The treatment involves injecting stem cells into the body to supposedly repair damaged cells in the brain.
The Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, which represents neuroscience clinicians and scientists in the Republic and Northern Ireland, condemns the treatment, saying there is no scientific evidence that it is effective or safe.
Today's Irish Examiner says a Swiss biotechnology company is providing the treatment from a GP's surgery in Cork.
The doctor involved has made no comment to RTÉ News.
It is understood that the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland has been contacted about the availability of stem cell treatment in Cork.
The society is discouraging people from paying for what it described as an 'unproven treatment'.
