Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-919 WAC, allopathic physicians; and chapter 246-918 WAC, allopathic physician assistants. The Washington medical commission (commission) is considering creating new rule sections to regulate the use of stem cell therapy.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission has received complaints from licensees, stakeholders, and the public about the use of stem cells. The complaints have been regarding the advertising related to stem cell therapy, practitioners using non-FDA approved stem cell therapy, as well as concerns stem cell therapy not being within a practitioner's scope of practice. Regulating the use of stem cell therapy would place the commission in an active patient safety role. Rule making would provide clarity around this emerging medical technology and procedure to help avoid potential discipline and increase patient safety. New sections being considered will potentially benefit the public's health by ensuring participating providers are informed and regulated by current national industry and best practice standards.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Federal Drug Administration, the commission will reference their regulations when drafting the rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Amelia Boyd, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone 360-236-2727, TTY 711, email amelia.boyd@wmc.wa.gov, website wmc.wa.gov.