Mesenchymal Stem Cells!

[[Ta...]]

7 month update.

 

It's been a wild experience. But I think I can share some really valuable information.

 

As a refresher, I had 20 million stem cells injected instranasally. This method of administration bypasses the blood brain barrier and goes directly into the brain. So, while my entire nervous system is benzo damaged, I started small and just treated the brain itself directly. They told me I would start to see results at around 3 months and the stem cells would be in my body for approximately 6 months.

 

For the first three months after my treatment, I didn't really feel much different. Happier, maybe. Had little pep in my step I guess. I can remember finding it easier to get up in the morning... But, again, mostly business as usual.

 

Then at 3 months, one day, a wave of something akin to 'anxiety' overcame me. I didn't know what was happening, so I freaked out and had a mini panic attack... That 'feeling' remained though. Panic. Or... something close to it. It ended up lasting an entire month.

 

Throughout that month, I began to describe what I was feeling as 'body anxiety' because I had absolutely no anxiety or panic in my brain. My brain actually was feeling noticeably better. But my body... Wow. Terribly uncomfortable. It was like my body was in a constant state of fight or flight. My brain continued to feel better though... Like, really good. It almost felt supercharged. Awake, alive, pure... But it was like my body/the rest of my nervous system couldn't handle my newly supercharged brain.

 

I walked around with wide eyes from the pure energy and alertness that flowed through my brain. But my body was literally trembling. It was a strange dichotomy, like my brain was in an excellent, relaxed but energized state but my body was constantly trying to ward off a panic attack and incredible discomfort.

 

My stem cell doctors had never seen anything like it (of course) and I couldn't find anyone with similar a similar experience. It last for about a month then stopped. My brain continued to feel GOOD. Long story, but I ended up having to fly to Europe (I live in the US). The trip was grueling. We're talking 27 hours worth of flying one way, no food, no sleep, constant running from one gate to the next, carrying heavy bags, etc...

 

The entire trip I was absolutely flabbergasted by how well my brain was handling it... Prior to stem cells, if I so much as walked too fast or a few minutes beyond my humble threshold, I would be plagued by awful brain discomfort, fuzziness, and fatigue. Yet, after 27 hours of travel, my brain was PURE, ALIVE, UNFAZED. It was pretty wild...... of course, after the travel my body was utterly broken. I don't think I was able to move for a solid week, but even though my body was beaten down my brain stayed stable.

 

About a month later (~ 5 months post treatment), the 'physical anxiety' came back, maybe even worse than the first round. Sooo uncomfortable. Again, if you've ever had a panic attack, that's exactly what my body felt like every single day.... for another month. Terribly difficult to endure. But this time, I was able to get ahold of and communicate with a scientist who worked specifically with stem cells for neurological issues for the past 16 years. He wasn't from the clinic I went to and wasn't offering any services, just talking to me about the science of it all and the things he's learned in his research.

 

Immediately as I introduced my situation, he rambled off EXACTLY what seemed to be happening to me...

 

SO. As stated, I ONLY treated my brain. BUT... My entire nervous system is damaged, fragile, and sensitive. I thought I would ease into the stem cells and get a small treatment with just intranasal injections for my brain, to see if it helped and then go from there. After all, the brain is the most important part of the nervous system. So helping to heal it even a little bit could do nothing but help my cause....... well, turns out it’s probably not that simple.

 

The scientist I talked to quickly exclaimed that what I’m experiencing is clear evidence of a ‘partial recovery’. He said since I only treated my brain, that’s (obviously) the only part of the nervous system that will see benefits... which turns out, can be a bit problematic if the rest of the damaged nervous system is not also addressed.

 

The stem cells in my brain had lead to 'neurogenesis' or lots of new neurons forming to replace my old, benzo-damaged, sensitized neurons. When new neurons form in the brain, the first thing they do to get acclimated and configured is they send out lots of impulses and wait for responses from the rest of the nervous system. This is how they establish themselves in the system and learn their new role. This constant firing and signal sending causes increased motor stimulation and stimulation of the rest of the nervous system until the new neurons stabilize and integrate.

 

Normally, while the increased motor stimulation may be noticeable (he said he sees it in other neurodegenerative patients) it is not as uncomfortable as it has been for me. And that is obviously because the rest of my nervous system is still highly sensitive/damaged... So all of the firing from the new neurons was really exacerbating that sensitivity and aggravating my damaged nerves/ans/sns...

 

HENCE, my brain feeling amazing and my body feeling overwhelmed. It made perfect sense. At least, it described EXACTLY the way my brain and body felt...

 

If my brain (the area that was treated) felt messed up or felt the same anxiety that my body did, I wouldn't buy it and would think it was just making my benzo symptoms worse like everything else always does... But it didn't and it hasn't. Since month 3 my brain has felt awesome. I've genuinely been amazed by its newfound fortitude and stability. That said, while I haven't had that insane panic feeling in a few weeks now, my body symptoms do feel a bit exacerbated still... unsurprising of course, with how much it's been stimulated as of late.

 

Anyway... The scientist wasn't persuading me to get treated again or anything, but said he thinks what I'm experiencing is a clear sign of neurogenesis, and thus, a clear sign that stem cells can work for my damage. He said he thinks an intrathecal treatment, possibly with an IV as well, would help heal the rest of my nervous system, like it seemingly has helped the neurons in my brain...

 

I don't know if he's right... But his ability to seemingly delineate exactly the way my body was feeling before I even explained the depths of the scenario has gone a long way to convince me that he's really onto something. I mean, it sounds spot on. Scientifically, but also anecdotally, as it's exactly how I feel. I'm going to wait a few months to make sure this 'body anxiety' dies down, but if it does as he predicts it will......... mesenchymal stem cells, in my opinion, hold a lot of promise for us. And even though they've caused a lot of discomfort for me this round, I think I know exactly why. And I think it really adds up. I think if I were to treat my body/the rest of my nervous system and balance out this brain treatment... Well, maybe my body would feel just as good as my brain does.

 

The journey continues.

 

This makes sense to me and makes me thoroughly hopeful. Thank you so much for sharing!

[[...]]

...and how quickly I’m reminded why I stopped coming to this forum months ago. Thanks, Eric.

If anyone is interested in chatting about the science of mesenchymal stem cells, shoot me a PM! The negativity here is toxic.

 

What's toxic is people like you spreading scams and dangerous quackery to vulnerable and suffering people who are desperate to try anything. You are a danger to this community. You are not a healthcare professional, but someone who is promoting and spreading harm and quackery. People beware, this person is not qualified to give healthcare advise and is only spreading dangerous scams via PM.

 

*sigh*

Read my posts. I have never once 'promoted' anything or claimed to be anything other than a desperate, suffering laymen like everyone else here. On a quest to get better. I am clearly not a healthcare professional and clearly never claim to be. I am not spreading scams or even freaking promoting MSCs, just detailing my account in hopes that it may help other people who are curious about mesenchymal stem cells.

 

Regardless, it is clear to me that you know next to nothing about mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. The article you posted detail frightening experiences, no doubt. But first... mesenchymal stromal cells are NOT NOT NOT embryonic fetal cells. They're literally two completely, entirely different things.  ...it wouldn't be so completely and utterly exhausting to explain this over and over again if people would inquire without the insults and extreme doom and gloom. And second, anything can go terribly when used inappropriately or unsafely.

 

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells DO NOT cause growths or tumors. There are hundreds if not thousands of studies on pubmed about MSCs and this is never a side effect that is mentioned. In fact, virtually all of said studies find no major or lasting adverse negative effects. I am noooooooot saying this because I want to promote MSCs, I genuinely care ZERO if people want to try them. I am simply stating facts here and what lead me to my very calculated decision of getting an MSC treatment. But don't take my word for it... Research yourself (beyond the first Google headline). And again... for the love of god we are not talking about embryonic stem cells which DO DEFINITELY cause tumors.

 

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells are hardly even some obscure, scary treatment anymore. Not that celebrity endorsements matter, but people like Joe Rogan, Mel Gibson, Mike Tyson, and virtually every professional UFC fighter/boxer has been talking about them for the past few years; detailing their remarkable experiences with them. Again, look it up for yourself. Check out BioXcellerator in Columbia, which is where all those big names have been frequently lately. Once Mike Tyson and the whole damn UFC grows giant, weird, cancerous tumors, come back and say 'I told you so', but until then... YOU ARE READING ABOUT THE WRONG STEM CELLS. And thus, you are promoting misinformation. I understand that you mean well, and that caution for us in particular is advisable. I will be the first to promote caution and even the frequently repeated 'do nothing' mantra around here. I get it. But I think a lot of people are appreciative when others try new, cutting edge stuff and report about it. I'm NOT promoting, just reporting.

 

For everyone who reads this.......... repeat it with me........ mesenchymal stromal cells ARE NOT embryonic stem cells. 

 

This is nonsense. Going to Mexico and letting someone supposably inject something into your brain is insanity. Most likely they just sprayed some nonsense into you nose and didn't "inject" anything or if they did inject, then they injected an unknown and unproven substance into your sinus cavity and who knows what will happen long term from this idiocy?  You could end up growing something really awful in your nose or sinuses if they really injected something, somewhere? You really don't want anyone putting anything in your brain either. Unbelievable and shocking that anyone would go and do this insanity! Wow, just crazy.

 

A bunch of people left this forum last year and made our own discord because of attacks like this when anyone tried to talk about different or experimental treatments. 'nonsense, 'insanity', 'idiocy', 'crazy'... Dude, if you don't agree with something, that's fine. But don't be so quick to jump down people's throats and attack them. Especially when it's evident you are not well versed in the topic. As stated, MSCs have gained a lot of steam in recent years and are not some insane treatment people get in back alleys. They are fairly common in athletics these days, especially among people with money. Again, check the aforementioned BioXcellerator clinic where Joe Rogan and Mike Tyson were talking about recently. You will see the intranasal INJECTIONS listed there for neurological conditions. This is something that was pioneered by renowned cancer doctor Jason Williams in Mexico. He trained the doctor that did my treatment. And lololol, they did "inject" it. I think I would know if I was injected or if they just sprayed it up there.  They inject pure, lab verified MSCs into the mucous membrane to bypass the blood brain barrier. Again, something developed by Dr. Jason Williams and is used at some of the high profile MSC centers.

 

...

 

Now as a final word, I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR MESENCHYMAL STEM/STROMAL CELLS. Yes, they are a new science. Yes, there are risks involved. Yes, the almighty FDA that we trust so much has not approved them. BUT... they are more studied, more mainstream, and far less scary than the doom-and-gloom detractors on here say when they pull the first sensationalized article about a 'stem cell treatment' and post it with their accompanying ad hominems.... even when it's an entirely different type of treatment or even when it's the result of some crackpot, fraud 'doctor's malpractice.

 

There are real concerns and risks to be discussed and I welcome discussion about them, absolutely. But the blind, uninformed negativity and rudeness is exhausting and really makes the atmosphere awful, in a place that is supposed to be about healing, hope, and companionship.

[[to...]]

I'll never understand some people's arrogance in thinking they know what's best for others they have never met.  Eric, do you honestly believe that people in withdrawal are not capable of critical thinking?  Do you honestly believe that you are the only who can read and process scientific studies?

 

Do you feel that you are the shepherd for thousands of withdrawal sheep who aren't able to tie their own shoes, count to ten, or make personal decisions regarding their health? 

[[to...]]

But okay, I'll indulge you a little. It's obvious that some people are unable to process scientific studies by what they do to themselves from reading bogus "studies", by exposing themselves to quackery and unregulated and unproved quack treatments in places like Mexico where there are no regulations that ensure safe and competent medical care.

 

That's a very prejudicial statement.  Perhaps you should inform yourself a bit more regarding the regulations of other developed countries.  Kindly read the following:

 

Regulatory overview

1. What is the regulatory framework for medical products?

Legislation

The regulatory framework for medical products (that is, drugs, medical devices and biological products for human use) is set out in the following federal laws:

General Health Law (Ley General de Salud).

General Health Law Regulations (Reglamento de Insumos para la Salud).

Official Mexicans Standards (Normas Oficiales Mexicanas) (NOMs).

Regulatory authorities

The Mexican authority responsible for enforcing the regulatory framework relating to medical products is the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios) (COFEPRIS), which is part of the Ministry of Health (Secretaria de Salud).

Private parties

The health system in Mexico includes some private parties that are involved in the commercialisation of medical products, including:

Pharmaceutical companies.

Distributors.

Third health institutions (that is, private or public companies authorised to pre-examine regulatory submissions).

2. What types of medical products are regulated?

The medical products that are regulated in Mexico are:

Drugs.

Biological products.

Traditional medicines.

Homeopathic medicines.

Medical devices.

Drugs

3. What are the general requirements for a drug to be manufactured, advertised and sold?

Manufacturing

Companies manufacturing medicinal products must obtain a manufacturing licence/approval (licencia sanitaria) from the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS).

The requirements for manufacturing approval are set out mainly in the General Health Law, its regulations and Official Mexican Standards (NOMs) setting good manufacturing practices for medicinal products (NOM-059-SSA1-2015) and health requirements for manufacturing (NOM-164-SSA1-2015). They regulate and provide guidelines and standards relating to:

Workforce conditions in the manufacturing facilities (including, for example, responsibilities, uniforms, and medical examinations).

Legal and technical documentation.

Facility requirements.

Manufacturing, validity and quality controls and protocols.

Standard operation procedure.

Biosafety measures.

Packaging.

Equipment.

Destruction and elimination of waste.

The General Health Law Regulations set 60 working days as the time frame for reviewing an application for a manufacturing approval. This is reduced by up to ten working days if the application has been previously reviewed by an authorised third health institution (that is, a private or public company authorised by the COFEPRIS to review regulatory submissions).

The COFEPRIS ensures that applicable NOMs are followed, from when a facility starts production and at least every two years after then.

Advertising

The advertising of medicinal products in Mexico is governed by the:

General Health Law Regulation regarding Advertising (Reglamento de la Ley General de Salud en Materia de Publicidad) (RLGSMP).

Opinions issued by the Advertising Council.

The COFEPRIS is responsible for enforcing the provisions above.

The Industrial Property Law and the Federal Law for Protection of Consumers also contain provisions on advertising.

Additionally, the National Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry issued a Code of Ethics that includes provisions on advertising. Although those provisions are not mandatory, failure to comply may result in a suspension of rights as a member of the Chamber or in expulsion from it.

Only over-the-counter drugs can be advertised to the general public, subject to prior approval from the COFEPRIS. Media channels must request certified copies of the corresponding marketing authorisations before releasing the advertisements. Any visual or audio advertisement for over-the-counter drugs must (Article 43, RLGSMP):

Include the message "consult your physician".

Mention any required precautions when the use of the drug represents a danger in the case of an existing pathology.

It is not possible to advertise prescription medicines to the general public (Article 310, General Health Law). Prescription drugs can be advertised to health professionals. However, advertisements directed to healthcare professionals can only be published in specialised media and must be based on the approved prescription information (Article 42, RLGSMP).

Sale

To sell a drug, manufacturers must obtain a marketing authorisation from the COFEPRIS. To obtain a marketing authorisation, the manufacturer must:

Have an authorised manufacturing facility, either in Mexico or abroad.

Provide a certificate of good manufacturing practices.

Provide a certificate of free sale, for products manufactured abroad.

Appoint a legal representative.

Have a pharmacovigilance unit.

Have a storage facility.

Provide information on patent rights.

Provide scientific information on safety and efficacy (for new drugs) or interchangeability tests (for generic drugs).

Provide information on stability, identity and purity.

Provide information on prescription.

File a draft label.

Pay government fees.

The requirements may vary depending on the manufacturer and type of drug. For drugs that are developed to treat medical conditions which are so rare (orphan drugs), the standards to demonstrate safety and efficacy (and therefore suitability for sale) will depend on the particulars of the particular orphan drug.

The applicable regulations establish a system of co-operation between the COFEPRIS and the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. The main reason for this is to prevent the granting of marketing authorisations in violation of exclusive rights.

4. Are there different requirements for patented and generic drugs?

There are different requirements for patented and generic drugs.

For patented drugs, applicants must prove the safety and efficacy of new products through standard clinical trials. New products include:

Medicines to be approved for the first time in Mexico.

Medicines with a new combination of two compounds that do not exist in Mexico.

Drugs or medications that are on the market but with a different therapeutic indication.

For generic drugs, applicants must only provide information concerning dissolution profiles or bioavailability studies regarding the innovator product, instead of their own clinical trials.

The Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) and the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) will co-operate to prevent the granting of marketing authorisations in violation of exclusive rights.

Under the IP Regulations, IMPI must publish every six months a gazette that includes compound patents (linkage gazette). Formulation patents have been included since 2010, in accordance with a ruling of the Mexican Supreme Court.

When filing the application, the generic applicant must either:

Prove ownership of, or the holding of a licence for, the corresponding patent recorded before IMPI.

State under oath that the application does not violate any of the products included in the linkage gazette and complies with patent law.

5. What authority is responsible for regulating the manufacture, advertising and sale of drugs?

The authority responsible for regulating the manufacture, advertising and sale of drugs is the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS).

6. Are there fewer or different requirements for drugs that have already been licensed or approved in another jurisdiction?

There is a special procedure for drugs to be approved for the first time in Mexico and that have previously been approved by one of the following foreign agencies:

European Medicines Agency.

US Food and Drug Administration.

Health Canada.

Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products.

Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration.

These specific rules were issued by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS). The approval procedure is based on the dossier filed with the foreign regulatory agency, to reduce approval time frames by up to 60 working days.

7. Is it possible to sell drugs to or buy drugs from other jurisdictions?

A marketing authorisation issued by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) is required to sell drugs manufactured in other jurisdictions. In Mexico, selling drugs that require a specific marketing authorisation without such a marketing authorisation can be prosecuted as a criminal offence.

Salvador, Ecuador and Colombia announced that drugs with a marketing authorisation issued by the COFEPRIS can be sold in these countries, as the COFEPRIS has been recognised as a continental regulatory agency by the Pan American Health Organization.

8. Is it permitted to advertise drugs to consumers? Are there restrictions on advertising?

Only over-the-counter drugs can be advertised to the general public, subject to approval by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS). Media channels must require certified copies of the corresponding marketing authorisations for medicines before releasing the advertisements.

An advertisement must be limited to indicating the general characteristics of the product, its therapeutic properties and use.

Any visual or audio advertisement for over-the-counter drugs must (Article 43, Regulation of the General Law of Health regarding Advertising (Reglamento de la Ley General de Salud en Materia de Publicidad) (RLGSMP)):

Include the message "consult your physician".

Mention any required precautions when the use of the drug represents a danger in the case of an existing pathology.

Advertising prescription medicines to the general public is prohibited (Article 310, General Health Law). Prescription medicines can be advertised to health professionals. However, advertisements directed to health professionals can only be published in specialised media and must be based on medical prescription information (Article 42, RLGSMP).

The RLGSMP grants COFEPRIS strong powers to:

Request media channels to remove any suspected illegal advertisement within 24 hours.

Impose a fine of up to 16,000 times the minimum wage (about USD72,000) on entities that publish illegal advertisements.

Electronic advertisement is governed by the general rules on advertising in Article 2 of the RLGSMP. The COFEPRIS is currently increasing its monitoring of internet advertisements for medical products, which had been less strict than for television or radio advertisements.

Medical devices

9. What is the definition of medical device in your jurisdiction?

The official website of the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) defines a medical device as a substance, a mixture of substances, a material, an apparatus, or an instrument (including the computer program that is necessary for the instrument's proper use or application) that is:

Used alone or in combination with other medical devices to:

diagnose, monitor and prevent human diseases;

support the treatment of human diseases and disabilities.

Used in the replacement, correction, restoration or modification of the human anatomy or human physiological processes.

Medical devices include products in the following categories:

Medical equipment.

Prostheses.

Orthoses.

Functional aids.

Diagnostic agents.

Supplies for dental use.

Surgical and healing materials.

Hygiene products.

The definition of a medical device differs to the definition for drugs, which only includes substances or a mixture of substances with therapeutic, preventive or rehabilitative effects.

Where there is doubt as to whether a product is a drug or a medical device, a writ can be filed with the COFEPRIS, requesting their decision on the category to which the product belongs.

10. What are the general requirements for a medical device to be manufactured, advertised and sold?

Manufacturing

Companies manufacturing medical devices must file an operation notice with the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS).

The requirements for manufacturing approval are set out mainly in the General Health Law, the General Health Law Regulations and Official Mexican Standards (NOMs) setting good manufacturing practices for medical devices (NOM-241-SSA1-2012).

Medical devices are classified as follows:

Class I. Well-known devices with proven safety and efficacy, which are not commonly introduced in the human body.

Class II. Devices which are introduced in the human body and may have materials or concentrations modifications.

Class III. Devices recently accepted in medical practice, which are introduced in the human body for more than 30 days.

Advertising

The advertising of medical devices must be authorised by the COFEPRIS. The authorisation must state whether the product can be advertised to the general public or to health professionals only.

Advertising to the general public must:

Be clear and easily comprehensible.

Contribute to hygiene education.

Include cautions if use of the product can involve health risks.

Sale

Selling certain medical devices require a marketing authorisation from the COFEPRIS, in particular those classified in classes II and III. To obtain a marketing authorisation, an applicant must:

Have an authorised manufacturing facility, either in Mexico or abroad.

Provide a certificate of good manufacturing practices (GMP).

Provide a certificate of free sale, for products manufactured abroad.

Appoint a legal representative.

Have a vigilance unit.

Have a storage facility.

Provide information on stability and quality of the device.

Provide scientific information on non-toxicity, safety and efficacy.

Provide instructions for use for the device.

File a draft label.

Pay government fees.

The above requirements can vary depending on the applicant and type of medical device.

Certain medical devices are exempt from marketing authorisation (for example, bandages, immobilisers, pads, and so on).

Exempted devices must still comply with GMP and with the labelling standards set out in relevant legislation (for example, the Consumer Protection Regulations), since regulatory authorities have wide powers to verify any potential health risk at any time. In addition, information provided on devices must be truthful and communicated in a way that does not mislead consumers (Consumer Law).

11. What authority is responsible for regulating the manufacture, advertising and sale of medical devices?

The authority responsible for enforcing rules relating to medical devices is the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS).

12. Are there fewer or different requirements for medical devices that have already been licensed/approved in another jurisdiction?

The Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) follows a special procedure for medical devices that have already been approved by:

The US Food and Drug Administration.

Health Canada.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

Approval is essentially based on the dossier filed with the foreign regulatory agency, to reduce approval time frames by up to 30 working days.

13. Is it possible to sell devices to or buy devices from other jurisdictions?

It is possible to sell devices to or buy devices from other jurisdictions. Medical devices can either require or be exempt from a marketing authorisation.

Exempted devices must still comply with good manufacturing practices and with the labelling standards set out in the applicable provisions, such as the Consumer Protection Regulations, since regulatory authorities have wide powers to verify any potential health risk at any time.

In addition, under the Consumer Law, information provided on products must be truthful and communicated in a way that does not mislead consumers.

14. Is it permitted to advertise medical devices to consumers? Are there restrictions on advertising?

It is permitted to advertise medical devices to consumers. However, advertising must be authorised by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS). Advertising to the general public must:

Be clear and easily comprehensible.

Contribute to hygiene education.

Include cautions if use of the product can involve health risks.

Biological products

15. What are the general requirements for a biological product to be manufactured, advertised and sold?

Manufacturing

Companies manufacturing biological products must obtain a manufacturing authorisation from the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS).

The General Health Law and the General Health Law Regulations were amended to include provisions relating to the approval of biologics, biotechnology products and non-innovative biotech products called "biocomparables" (biosiomilars).

Mexican law recognises that biotech products deserve special treatment due to their distinct characteristics (for example, their complex structures, size in comparison to chemically-synthetised drugs and, particularly, their susceptibility to variation during the manufacturing process). The regulatory regime distinguishes products manufactured through molecular biotechnology from other biologics and provides a robust regulatory process for their approval.

Article 222 bis of the General Health Law defines a "biotech product" as any substance that:

Has been manufactured by molecular biotechnology.

Has therapeutic, preventive or rehabilitative effects.

Is provided in a dosage form.

Is identified as such by its pharmacological activity and physical, chemical and biological properties.

The Mexican Pharmacopeia recognises biotech products as being products manufactured through technologies such as recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, monoclonal antibodies methods, and controlled expression of genes coding for biologically-active proteins in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

The standards to approve biotech products are essentially the same as for other drugs in Mexico: they must be safe and effective and must be of appropriate quality. However, biotech products must comply with a number of additional requirements (to be included in the dossier) due to their distinctive characteristics.

The standard dossier submission requirements for marketing authorisation applications for drugs usually comprise:

Legal and administrative information.

Summaries.

Chemical, pharmaceutical and biological information.

Non-clinical reports.

Clinical study reports.

However, the additional dossier requirements to be provided for biotech products include (in addition to the above):

A description of the manufacturing process.

Information starting the materials and the biological origin of the materials.

A description of the manufacturing facilities and equipment.

Innovative biotech products may be used as the reference product for the approval of non-innovative products. These products are called as "biocomparables" by the General Health Law, since they must be comparable to reference products regarding to safety, quality and efficacy. The General Health Law Regulations provide that a biocomparable can serve as a reference product for another bicomparable where the innovative product has not yet been approved in Mexico.

Foreign companies can apply for and can hold marketing authorisations for biotech products provided they have (among other requirements):

A manufacturing licence issued by COFEPRIS or equivalent agency abroad.

An authorised warehouse and distributor located in Mexico.

Advertising

The advertising of biological products must be authorised by the COFEPRIS. The authorisation must state whether the product can be advertised to the general public or to health professionals only. However, due to the nature of this type of products, advertising is likely to be authorised in relation to health professionals only.

Sale

A marketing authorisation by the COFEPRIS is required to sell any biological product. Generally, an applicant for a marketing authorisation of an innovator must:

Have an authorised manufacturing facility, either in Mexico or abroad.

Provide a certificate of good manufacturing practices.

Provide a certificate of free sale, for products manufactured abroad.

Appoint a legal representative.

Have a pharmacovigilance unit.

Have a storage facility.

Provide information on patent rights.

Include monographs and technical details of the master cell bank, product and manufacturing process.

Provide scientific information on the quality, safety and efficacy of the product (clinical and pre-clinical trials).

Include stability, identity and purity tests.

Have an intensive pharmacovigilance programme.

Provide prescribing information.

File a draft label.

Pay government fees.

Clinical trials for innovator biological products must take place in Mexico where the product is to be manufactured in Mexico. For products manufactured abroad, the Ministry of Health can request that a clinical trial takes place in Mexico when the Sub-Committee on Evaluation of Biotechnological Products of COFEPRIS considers that this is necessary.

Applicants for biocomparables must comply with the above requirements. However, their pre-clinical and clinical tests must be based on a biological reference drug, which must be used to perform physico-chemical comparative studies. For this purpose, the applicant must submit the following:

In vitro studies, although the Ministry of Health can exempt an applicant from this requirement.

A report of comparative pharmacokinetic test, if required by the Ministry of Health, to demonstrate pharmacokinetic comparability on key parameters between the biocomparable and the reference biological product.

Pharmacodynamics test reports.

A comparative efficacy and safety clinical test to show the similarity between the biocomparable and the reference biological product.

The requirements above may vary. The Ministry of Health can impose specific requirements for any biological product on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the opinion of the COFEPRIS Committee of New Molecules, which will have consulted its Sub-Committee on Evaluation of Biotechnological Products.

16. What authority is responsible for regulating the manufacture, advertising and sale of biological products?

The authority responsible for enforcing the rules relating to biological products is the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS).

17. Are there fewer or different requirements for biological products that have already been licensed/approved in another jurisdiction?

Research and development companies can benefit from a special procedure for biological drugs to be approved for the first time in Mexico which have already been approved by the following regulatory agencies:

European Medicines Agency.

US Food and Drug Administration.

Health Canada.

Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products.

Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) recently issued rules to set up this new procedure. The procedure is essentially based on the dossier filed with the foreign regulatory agency, to reduce approval time frames. Industry participants have welcomed these new rules, although they are still being tested.

18. Is it possible to sell biological products to or buy biological devices from other jurisdictions?

A marketing authorisation from the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) is required to sell biological products manufactured in other jurisdictions. Selling biological products without a marketing authorisation can be prosecuted as a criminal offence.

Salvador, Ecuador and Colombia announced that drugs with a marketing authorisation issued by the COFEPRIS can be sold in their respective countries, as the COFEPRIS has been recognised as a continental regulatory agency by the Pan American Health Organization.

19. Is it permitted to advertise biological products to consumers? Are there restrictions on advertising?

The advertising of any biological product must be authorised by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS). As biological products are complex medicines, advertisement relating to these products cannot:

Mention non-analysed properties.

State that a product is indispensable.

State that being a biological product is an advantage over other products.

Natural health products

20. Is there a category for natural health products (including, for example, traditional medicines, homeopathic medicines, supplements, vitamins and minerals)?

There are specific provisions that regulate different types of natural health products, including:

Herbal, homeopathic and vitamin medicines.

Herbal remedies.

Dietary supplements.

21. What are the general requirements for natural health products to be manufactured, advertised and sold?

Manufacturing

Companies manufacturing natural health products must file an operation notice with the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS).

Advertising

The advertising of natural health products in Mexico is permitted and governed by the:

General Health Law Regulation regarding Advertising (Reglamento de la Ley General de Salud en Materia de Publicidad) (RLGSMP).

Opinions issued by the Advertising Council.

The COFEPRIS enforces the provisions on advertising.

The advertising of any natural health product is subject to the following restrictions:

Media channels must request certified copies of the relevant marketing authorisation, alphanumeric key (that is, the registration number) or operating notice for this category of product, before publishing related advertisements.

Any visual or audio advertisement for non-prescription medicines must include the message "consult your physician".

The advertisement must not present the product as a solution to a disease or symptoms that are different from those included in the marketing authorisation.

The advertisement must not induce the consumers to acquire products through raffles and games of chance, or offer any other product or service in exchange.

Advertisements of herbal medicines must:

Be limited to one symptomatic effect based on the information contained on the label.

Not advertise the products as having curative properties.

Include the message "there is no scientific evidence supporting curative or preventive properties".

Advertisements of dietary supplements must:

Include the message "there is no scientific evidence supporting curative or preventive properties".

Not present these products as stimulants or modifiers of the physical or mental state.

Not induce or promote eating habits that have harmful effects on health.

Not affirm that a product complies with individual nutritional requirements.

Not attribute a higher or different nutritional value.

Not compare or undermine natural food properties.

Not have confusing, exaggerating or misleading information regarding the composition, origin, effects or other properties of the product, nor hold preventive indications, rehabilitative or therapeutics.

Not include denominations, shapes, statements related to diseases, symptoms, anatomic data, physiological phenomena, or messages that affirm that the product can replace any food or meal.

Sale

There are different requirements for the sale of different types of natural health product:

Herbal, homeopathic and vitamin medicines require a marketing authorisation from the COFEPRIS.

Herbal remedies require recordal (clave alfanumérica) (that is, a type of approval) with the COFEPRIS.

Distributors of dietary supplements must give notice (aviso de suplemento alimenticio) to the COFEPRIS.

Applicants for a marketing authorisation relating to herbal, homeopathic and vitamin medicines must:

Have an authorised manufacturing facility, either in Mexico or abroad.

Provide a certificate of good manufacturing practices (GMP).

Provide information on the manufacturing process.

Provide a certificate of free sale, for products manufactured abroad.

Provide information on stability, identity and purity.

Provide prescribing information.

Submit a draft label.

Include instructions for use, if applicable.

Pay government fees.

In addition, product monograph and information on storage conditions are required for vitamin medicines.

For recording herbal remedies, applicants must:

Have an authorised manufacturing facility, either in Mexico or abroad.

Provide certificate of GMP.

Provide a certificate of free sales, for products manufactured abroad.

Provide information on the product and manufacturing process.

Provide information on identity and purity.

Submit a draft label.

Include instructions for use, if applicable.

Pay government fees.

A notice of marketing for a dietary supplement must include:

Product information.

A certificate of GMP.

A draft label.

Some of the requirements above may vary depending on the specific product.

22. What authority is responsible for regulating the manufacture, advertising and sale of natural health products?

The authority responsible for enforcing the rules relating to health products is the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS).

23. Are there fewer or different requirements for natural health products that have already been licensed or approved in another jurisdiction?

The holder of a natural health product approved by a recognised foreign regulatory authority can use the dossier filed with this authority when filing a marketing authorisation/recordal application in Mexico. However, approval in another jurisdiction is not recognised by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS).

24. Is it possible to sell natural health products to or buy natural health products from other jurisdictions and/or electronically?

A marketing authorisation issued by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) is required to sell herbal, homeopathic and vitamin medicines manufactured in other jurisdictions. A recordal with COFEPRIS is required to sell herbal remedies. Selling medicines without a marketing authorisation can be prosecuted as a criminal offence.

Natural health products exempt from marketing authorisation/recordal must still comply with good manufacturing practices and labelling standards set out in relevant legislation (for example, the Consumer Protection Regulations), as regulatory authorities have wide powers to verify any potential health risk at any time. In addition, information provided on the products must be truthful and communicated in a way that does not mislead consumers.

25. Is it permitted to advertise natural health products to consumers? Are there restrictions on advertising?

Natural health products approved as over-the-counter medicines and herbal medicines can be advertised to the general public, subject to approval by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS). Before releasing advertisements, media channels must require certified copies of the marketing authorisation for the product.

Advertisements must be limited to indicating the general characteristics of the product, its therapeutic properties and use.

Any visual or audio advertisement of natural health products must:

Include the message "consult your physician".

Mention any required precautions when use of the product represents any danger for persons with an existing pathology.

Reform

26. Are there any plans to reform the rules on the development, manufacture, advertising and sale of medical products?

The following proposals or bills were recently submitted to Congress for consideration.

Biotechnology medicines

This would involve an amendment to Article 222 bis of the General Health Law. According to the bill, public health institutions would be required to establish an effective differentiation mechanism for biotechnology medicines. This would help to ensure adequate pharmacovigilance and continuity of medical treatment, and would help to prevent cases of automatic substitution of biotechnology/biocomparable drugs, without due medical prescription.

Self-prescription

This would involve making amendments to Articles 112 and 310 of the General Health Law. The aim of the initiative is to avoid self-medication. To do this, the amendments propose that:

Health education should, within its objectives, provide guidance and training on the dangers and risks of self-medication and self-prescription.

The advertising of over-the-counter medicine products and herbal remedies should:

include the legend: "self-medication may aggravate the disease"; and

outline or provide details of the general characteristics of secondary reactions (that is, the effects of self-medication).

Medical devices

This would involve making amendments to several provisions of both the General Health Law and the General Health Law Regulations. This initiative aims to regulate the use of medical devices (see Question 9). The relevant points are as follows:

To make the regulations more specific in relation to prosthetics, diagnostic agents and supplies of dental use.

To replace the term "essential nutrients for health" with "medical devices".

To indicate that applicants requesting authorisation for the sale or supply, as well as importation, must have marketing authorisation.

To emphasise that the indications of its use will be detailed in the instructions of the corresponding product, in printed or electronic form.

Telemedicine

This would involve making amendments to Article 77 bis of the General Health Law. This initiative aims to implement telemedicine through electronic means. For this purpose, it suggests that both:

Medical prescriptions should be issued in digital form.

The provision of prescriptions in digital form should be implemented by public and private agencies as well as the organs of the National Health System, subject to any Mexican regulatory and official regulations issued by the COFEPRIS.

Cannabis regulation

There are currently proposals to amend the regulation and control proposal concerning cannabis. Generally, these proposals aim to regulate and control the process of harvesting, storage, transportation, labeling, production, publicity, sponsorship, sales and commercialisation of cannabis.

Price regulation

The aim of this eventual regulation is to regulate the price of drugs to ensure proper access. According to the proposal, the price of drugs would be reviewed and evaluated each year (or at any time, if necessary) based on economic, technical or therapeutic conditions.

New healthcare strategy

The goal of this scheme is to introduce universal and free coverage of both medicines and medical care in Mexico. The scheme would be implemented through several steps, which include amendments to the current regulations. According to the official strategy outlined by the current Mexican President, the key goals as follows:

Federalisation of the health system. This would be implemented through the gradual signing of agreements with the 32 Mexican states, which would surrender their faculties for governing over health matters to the federation.

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), the Mexican Civil Service Social Security and Services Institute (ISSSTE) and other State Social Security entities will provide equal and non-discriminatory services to all persons, regardless of social security status.

The Federal National Formulary will be abolished.

The UN will observe the public bids for acquisition of medicines, equipment and medical devices.

There will be a preference for national public bids over international bids (but bids will be open to international companies or products).

An increase in the health budget by MXN50 billion. However, in the general national budget there was no significant increase to the health sector. (There is still uncertainty as to how this proposal would be applied, and the Mexican New Government is working on the corresponding strategy.)

Mexico previously had a "production plant requirement" where it was required to have a manufacturing or conditioning plant in Mexico to obtain a marketing registration for healthcare products (even if the products were manufactured abroad). This caused pharmaceutical companies to sign hosting agreements with national companies in order to be able to sell their products. The plant requirement was eliminated in 2008 and according to the current regulations, the holder of a marketing authorisation is still required to have a manufacturing plant, but the plant may be located abroad. Recently, there was an initiative for the plant requirement to resurrected. However, the chances of this reform being introduced are rather low.

Lastly, there was a very recent proposal to reform Article 376 of the General Health Law (which requires marketing authorisations to be renewed by holders every five years). Therefore, to reduce this burden, and based on the regulatory and monitoring work of COFEPRIS, the proposal removes the requirement to renew every five years. There is also a proposal to insert an Article 376 TER into the General Health Law, to describe the obligations of the holders of marketing authorisations having indefinite validity (for example, after the first renewal of the marketing authorisation, the validity becomes indefinite (no need for further renewals). However, the holder would need to comply with pharmacovigilance activities and other measures to assure the safety, efficacy and quality of the product).

Contributor profiles

Alejandro Luna Fandiño, Partner

OLIVARES

T +52 55 53 22 30 00

F +52 55 53 22 30 01

E alejandro.luna@olivares.mx

W www.olivares.mx

Professional qualifications. Bachelor Degree, Universidad Latinoamericana, Mexico, 1996; four diplomas, Universidad Panamericana.; LLM in intellectual property law, Franklin Pierce Law Center, US

Areas of practice. Biotechnology/pharmaceutical law; intellectual property litigation; anti-piracy; anti-counterfeiting; alternative dispute resolution; IP enforcement.

Recent transactions

Participated in cases against the unconstitutionality and inefficiency of certain amendments to the Federal Law of Administrative Proceedings in Mexico, which have affected the venues for challenging resolutions by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property.

Sponsor of a proposal to modify the litigation system of industrial property, limiting the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property to an exclusive registration authority, and transferring jurisdiction to civil courts for infringement cases and to administrative courts for cases related to the annulment of trade mark registrations and patents.

Languages. English, Spanish

Professional associations/memberships. Member of the Mexican Association for IP Protection (AMPPI); member of the International Trademark Association (INTA).

Erwin Cruz, Attorney

OLIVARES

T +52 55 53 22 30 00

F +52 55 53 22 30 01

E erwin.cruz@olivares.mx

W www.olivares.mx

Professional qualifications. LLM on Biotech Law and Ethics (first), University of Sheffield, 2014; postgraduate IP specialisation (first), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), 2009; LLB (first), UNAM, 2006

Areas of practice. Biotech/pharmaceutical law, patent law, IP rights litigation, enforcement and regulatory compliance.

Recent transactions

Awarding of damages and lost profits regarding a patented blockbuster drug.

Achieving court's decisions revoking regulatory approvals for follow-on products of patented blockbuster drugs.

Awarding the first court's precedent in Mexico over patentability of computer-implemented inventions (Microsoft).

McDonalds: several litigation proceedings against formative trade marks.

Languages. English, Spanish

Professional associations/memberships. Mexican Association for IP Protection (AMPPI).

Luz Elena Elías, Attorney

OLIVARES

T +52 55 53 22 30 00

F +52 55 53 22 30 01

E luz.elias@olivares.mx

W www.olivares.mx

Professional qualifications. LLM on Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights, University of Alicante 2002; LLM on International Law, University of Ottawa 1996, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) 1994

Areas of practice. IP litigation; pharmaceutical law; regulatory advisory.

Recent transactions. Dealt with the unconstitutionality of the injunctions provision of the Intellectual Property Law.

Languages. Spanish, English, French

Professional associations/memberships. Mexican Association for IP Protection (AMPPI).

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