AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

UMBILICAL CORD PRESERVATION: ANTITRUST INTERVENES TO CHANGE THE ADVERTISING MESSAGES OF SIX COMPANIES. CATRICALA’: CLARITY ESTABLISHED.  NOW PARLIAMENT NEEDS TO DECIDE WHETHER PRESERVATION SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN OUR COUNTRY

Accurate informational messages about the real potential for cures involving the use of umbilical cords preserved abroad. This is the outcome of an Antitrust investigation into the potentially incorrect commercial practices of six different companies. The following companies: Future Health Italia, Sorgente, Crylogit Regener, Futura Stem Cells, Cryo Save Italia and Smart Bank, have all committed to editing their brochures and all other forms of communication in order to clarify the actual therapeutic applications for hematopoietic stem cells from umbilical cords, the number of transplants performed in two different categories (autologous, for services purchased by future parents, and allogeneic - with samples provided by the National Healthcare Service through the blood bank network for solidaristic donations), the guaranteed shelf-life for blood sample preservation (15-16 years) as compared to the even longer 20-25 years for the preservation services being offered, the genetic compatibility of family members and the obstacles to bringing samples home for use in Italy.

According to the Antitrust Authority, the overall body of information and messages diffused by these businesses is being reformulated so that parents can make well-informed decisions about whether or not to use foreign cord preservation services, with all of the necessary evidence at their disposal for the more controversial issues.  This is particularly important given the timely and on-going evolution of this issue as well as the delicacy and technicality surrounding health issues and the treatment of pathologies.

“The measures that were adopted," explains Antitrust President Antonio Catricalà, "have obtained basic informational clarity from these businesses on an issue of great concern to our citizens. Now it is up to Parliament to decide whether umbilical cord preservation should be permitted in our Country as well. The issue is about whether it makes sense to ‘force’ this migration, which would prevent the sector from developing. If this path is chosen, then a share of the profits would have to be designated to the financing public centers."

Rome - 24 October 2011