"A Liberal government would launch federally-funded clinical trials of a controversial new treatment for multiple sclerosis, Michael Ignatieff said Thursday in his year-end interview with The Globe and Mail.
In the hours leading up to that interview, The Globe asked readers through its Twitter account and Facebook site to submit questions for the Liberal Leader, one of which we promised to ask him.
The chosen question came from Amy Gaylord-Preston, who wanted to know “where he stands on treating MS patients for CCSVI. Would he insist that we be allowed treatment for blocked blood flow from our brains now? In our own country?”
CCSVI stands for chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency. The unproven theory holds that narrow veins leading from the brain constrict blood flow from the brain, leading to the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The treatment, devised by Italian researcher Paolo Zamboni, consists of improving the blood flow, which in some cases has led to dramatic improvements.
But the Zamboni treatment – which some neurologists criticize as unproven and risky– is not authorized in Canada. While the government of Saskatchewan has decided to fund clinical trials, the federal Conservative government has tried to stay out of the debate.
But Ottawa should actually be taking the lead, Mr. Ignatieff insisted.
“The question is: why can’t Canadians get a shot at getting at something that might have a therapeutic benefit?” he asked. “We say yes to that. Let’s get these trial thoroughly conducted. The federal government should take leadership here.”
Most of the interview concentrated on Mr. Ignatieff’s lagging popularity and on whether there are any circumstances in which the Liberals might support the Conservative budget expected in February or March. He said there is virtually no possibility of the Liberals supporting the government’s financial plan if it includes corporate tax cuts."
ource - Ottawa Notebook:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook
Quote from Kirsty Duncan, Liberal MP in the House of Commons on December 16 2010.
"Mr. Speaker, the scientific evidence is mounting regarding CCSVI. More clinical trials are about to begin in the United States, and Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Newfoundland are taking action. More important, neurologists are quietly admitting that their patients are improving.
Canada needs clinical trials for CCSVI that are undertaken in multiple centres across our country, and Canada should be tracking the progress of Canadian MS patients, who felt forced to seek liberation treatment overseas, in a registry for efficacy, improvements in quality of life and side effects. Very quickly, we could have more answers regarding patients' progress at one, three, six months, et cetera.
More important, no Canadian should be denied follow-up care here in Canada. It is unconscionable, unethical and clearly a breach of “do no harm.” Cancelling of appointments and mandatory tests, denial of treatment and threatening of patients must stop."
Kirsty Duncan:
http://kirstyduncan.ca/
Majority backs funding trials of controversial MS treatment:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/majority-backs-funding-trials-of-controversial-ms-treatment/article1841098/
Angus Reid - Canadians Support Procedure for MS Patients
http://www.angus-reid.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010.12.16_MS_CAN.pdf
http://www.facebook.com/notes/ccsvi-in-ms-toronto/ignatieff-liberals-would-fund-ccsvi-ms-treatment/10150100050734919