Important addendum to the release issued on 13 September 2019
18.09.2019
On 13 September 2019, Swissmedic published an information announcing that the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) was initiating criminal proceedings against the company Cryo-Save AG. The introductory passage might have been construed as implying that the company had already been found guilty. The courts alone will decide whether Cryo-Save AG and its representatives are guilty.
The Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products regrets the misleading wording, which has since been corrected, and refrains from prejudging the matter. The investigations have only just begun. The presumption of innocence principle thus applies to Cryo-Save AG.
Supplementary information
In Switzerland, the handling of stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue is governed by the Transplantation Act and Therapeutic Products Act. Cord blood banks are subject to specific reporting and authorisation obligations, as well as requirements governing storage quality and the safety of the stem cells held by the bank. Supervisory authority rests with the FOPH and Swissmedic. However, storage of cord blood in a cord blood bank is subject to private law.
Further links
Blood stem cells from umbilical cord blood
(www.bag.admin.ch – available in German, French or Italian)
Legal requirements for healthcare professionals involved in transplantation medicine
(www.bag.admin.ch – available in German, French or Italian)
Last modification 18.09.2019