Wonder drug bid backed

SUPPORT is growing for a Llanelli man's campaign for trials to be carried out on a wonder drug which could help treat people with illnesses ranging from Aids to cancer.

Multiple sclerosis sufferer Andrew Barnett, of Llangennech, has launched a petition to Number 10 calling for the Government to help make the medication available for all.

Both he and his partner, Jayne Crocker, who has ulcerative colitis, are both subscribed the drug called Naltrexone. But they want the drug to be trialled as they believe it could help with a wide variety of debilitating conditions.

Already their battle has attracted the support of 3,600 people. And TV doctor Chris Steele, who features on ITV's This Morning show, has thrown his weight behind the call.

Appealing for backing, he said: "I ask you to support the petition to the government to fund trials on this very important drug. He said that in 2006 it was found to be effective in low doses in controlling many disabling and fatal illnesses.It's not a cure or a miracle drug but it is a therapy that helps the body by restoring its own immune system by boosting endorphins."

The drug works by blocking endorphin receptors for a limited period of time, which then boosts them five-fold. This stimulates the immune system to produce cells that repair the body.

Mr Barnett, who has secondary progressive MS, said that without political intervention the drug will probably never be trialled.

He said Dr Steele had agreed to take the fight to the Government.

Mr Barnett said: "We have got people from Swansea to Glasgow and Reading supporting us. The campaign is taking off and we are looking to get 10,000 signatures."

"Dr Chris agreed with us completely that the Government has a body to fund trials of drugs that can't be funded by any other money.

"If it was made a few years ago it hasn't got the momentum we have got now with the online petition."

Mr Barnett is also urging the local health board to make the drug available. He will be at St Mary's Square, Swsansea, near the side of Primark, today (SAT) between noon and 3pm urging people to sign the petition.

Swansea doctor Bob Lawrence was the first GP to introduce Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) to the UK over 10 years ago.

To find out more about LDN and the petition, visit ldnnow.co.uk