Direct-to-consumer marketing of stem cell interventions by Canadian businesses

This study examines marketing claims of Canadian businesses engaged in direct-to-consumer advertising of putative stem cell treatments. Internet searches were used to locate Canadian businesses selling stem cell interventions. Company websites were subjected to detailed analysis. In total, 30 Canadi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Regenerative medicine 2018-09, Vol.13 (6), p.643-658
Main Author: Turner, Leigh
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advertising
Canada
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy - adverse effects
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy - economics
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy - ethics
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy - trends
Clinics
Direct-to-Consumer Advertising
direct-to-consumer marketing
empirical analysis
Ethics
FDA approval
Health Canada
Health care
Humans
Internet
Legal medicine
Macular degeneration
Marketing
Marketing of Health Services
Patients
physicians
Regenerative Medicine - ethics
Regenerative Medicine - trends
Regulatory agencies
Researchers
Search engines
Search strategies
Stem Cell Transplantation
Stem cells
Studies
Transplantation, Autologous
Transplants & implants
Womens health
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Summary:This study examines marketing claims of Canadian businesses engaged in direct-to-consumer advertising of putative stem cell treatments. Internet searches were used to locate Canadian businesses selling stem cell interventions. Company websites were subjected to detailed analysis. In total, 30 Canadian businesses sell stem cell interventions provided at 43 clinics. Autologous stem cells are the most common types of products promoted by such businesses. Company websites minimize risks while making strong claims about benefits of stem cell interventions. Businesses' representations could result in patients making health-related decisions informed by marketing claims rather than best available scientific evidence. Although there is absent development of new regulations and guidance, the Canadian direct-to-consumer marketplace for stem cell interventions appears poised for expansion.
ISSN:1746-0751
1746-076X
DOI:10.2217/rme-2018-0033