e-mail from B.C. Health Care
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:32 pm
Just in.. and in response to an e-mail i sent early in June.. let's hope it's CCSVI keeping them busy.. Warning! will infuriate!
Thank you for your email of June 3, 2010, addressed to Minister Falcon, regarding Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) and the diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I have been asked to respond on his behalf.
At this point in time, the CCSVI technique is experimental and not currently available through publicly funded health institutions in Canada.
Based on results published to date, there is not enough evidence to say that obstruction of veins causes MS, or to determine when this obstruction may occur in the course of disease. Indeed, Dr. Zamboni, who pioneered this research, has cautioned that people with MS should not rush to seek the surgical procedure to unblock veins until the proper clinical studies have been conducted.
As with any experimental or new procedure, our medical experts will evaluate the clinical research as it becomes available. Once it has been established that the procedure is safe and effective for British Columbians, a funding decision around CCSVI will be made.
The Ministry of Health Services, MS clinical leaders, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and MS Society will continue to work together to assess the evidence being accumulated on whether this is an important breakthrough treatment for patients.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us and share your concerns.
Sincerely,
Valerie Tregillus
Executive Director
Primary Health Care
Thank you for your email of June 3, 2010, addressed to Minister Falcon, regarding Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) and the diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I have been asked to respond on his behalf.
At this point in time, the CCSVI technique is experimental and not currently available through publicly funded health institutions in Canada.
Based on results published to date, there is not enough evidence to say that obstruction of veins causes MS, or to determine when this obstruction may occur in the course of disease. Indeed, Dr. Zamboni, who pioneered this research, has cautioned that people with MS should not rush to seek the surgical procedure to unblock veins until the proper clinical studies have been conducted.
As with any experimental or new procedure, our medical experts will evaluate the clinical research as it becomes available. Once it has been established that the procedure is safe and effective for British Columbians, a funding decision around CCSVI will be made.
The Ministry of Health Services, MS clinical leaders, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and MS Society will continue to work together to assess the evidence being accumulated on whether this is an important breakthrough treatment for patients.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us and share your concerns.
Sincerely,
Valerie Tregillus
Executive Director
Primary Health Care