N.S. would take part in national MS trial
Last Updated: Thursday, August 19, 2010 | 2:43 PM ET
CBC News
Nova Scotia Premier Darrel Dexter says the province owes it to those with MS to fully consider the merits of the treatment. (CBC)Nova Scotia's premier says he is open to taking part in any federal study of a controversial treatment for multiple sclerosis.
If there is a national trial, his province will take part, Darrel Dexter said Thursday.
"There needs to be leadership shown on this file from the federal government. We are prepared to participate in a program that is led by them and agreed to by the provinces with respect to liberation therapy."
The so-called liberation therapy is a treatment based on the theory that narrowed neck veins cause blood-borne iron deposits to build up and damage brain cells. The theory holds that unblocking the veins will help people with the disorder.
Several Nova Scotians with MS have travelled abroad for the procedure, which isn't available in Canada, and say it has helped them.
Dexter's comments in favour of his province's participation in a trial came in response to Manitoba's health minister, who wrote a letter to her provincial, federal and territorial counterparts seeking support for the treatment.
In July, Saskatchewan announced it will pay for clinical trials. At that time, Dexter's government said it was not interested in paying to study an unproven treatment.
Dexter now says he is willing to await the results of clinical trials and the province owes it to those with the disease to fully consider the treatment's merits.
