How to Evaluate a Stem Cell Clinic in Colombia: The Accreditation Checklist

The 6-Point Verification Checklist

1. INVIMA Registration

Ask for the clinic's INVIMA registration number for cell-based therapy services. This is verifiable through INVIMA's public registry. A clinic without INVIMA registration may be operating outside the regulatory framework.

2. Cell Processing Laboratory

Where are the cells processed? An accredited, GMP-compliant lab should handle cell isolation, expansion (if applicable), counting, and viability testing. Some clinics process cells on-site in certified labs. Others outsource to third-party cell processing facilities. Either model is acceptable if the lab meets regulatory standards.

3. Cell Count and Viability Documentation

Before every treatment, the clinic should provide documentation showing the cell count (number of viable MSCs) and viability percentage (typically should be above 90%) of your specific preparation. This is your quality assurance that you are receiving what you are paying for.

4. Physician Credentials

The treating physician should have relevant specialty training (orthopedics, sports medicine, rehabilitation medicine, or regenerative medicine). Verify through ReTHUS (Colombia's national health professional registry). Ask about their experience specifically with MSC therapy — how many patients treated, for which conditions, and over what period.

5. Published Outcomes

Has the clinic or physician published any peer-reviewed data on their treatment outcomes? Even a case series in a regional medical journal demonstrates a commitment to evidence and transparency.

6. Follow-Up Protocol

What is the structured follow-up schedule? Legitimate clinics track outcomes at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment using standardized pain and function scores, and offer imaging re-evaluation at 6–12 months for orthopedic cases.