Platelet-Rich Plasma Classified as Medicinal Product
In July 2023, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) instructed “all physiotherapists to stop providing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment to patients, with immediate effect”: Platelet-rich plasma injections | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (csp.org.uk)
The reason behind this decision is that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) declared PRP to be a medicinal product “based on actual or implied claims that PRP is used with the intention of reducing pain and/or promoting healing”. These are regarded as “medicinal claims”, and thus physiotherapists are precluded from using PRP in their practice from now on.
Many Health Care Professionals (HCP), along with some professional bodies and advocacy groups consider this move regrettable, as it reduces the number of treatment options available to physiotherapists and their patients.