New EU regulations governing the theraputic use of stem cells came into force in Ireland today.
The Cells and Tissue Directive sets out guidelines for the donation and procurement of human cells.
Minister for Health Mary Harney has given the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) power to oversee the introduction of the regulations.
The IMB will be empowered to visit any premises and inspect any process by which stem cells are stored or distributed.
Last week the IMB revealed it was investigating the provision of stem cell therapy to multiple sclerosis sufferers at a Cork GP's surgery.
Advanced Cell Therapeutics (ACT), a biotechnology company based in Switzerland, is understood to be providing the controversial treatment to patients from the surgery of Dr John Dunphy in Carrigaline, Co Cork.
MS suffers are understood to be paying as much as €18,500 for a three-hour session.