Maggots, leeches to receive regulatory scrutiny
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
September 1, 2005
The ancient practice of using maggots and leeches to clean wounds and defend against infection has made a resurgence in the last few years. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now considering regulations to control their use, according to the New York Times.The panel of medical experts will promulgate maggot and leech regulations for the agency. The FDA has had jurisdiction over medical devices since 1976, but there are areas where the agency's regulatory grip has not yet been exerted. That includes maggots and leeches.
One issue that delayed the practice's regulation was how exactly to categorize the parasites. The FDA ultimately decided they were mechanical rather than biological, because chewing and eating blood are mechanical events.
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