Saskatchewan sends MS patients to U.S. for clinical trial of liberation therapy

REGINA - Multiple sclerosis patients in Saskatchewan can apply to take part in a clinical trial of a controversial treatment that has been touted as a potential therapy.

Premier Brad Wall said a New York state doctor is in the final stages of getting U.S. federal approval for what's believed to be the largest liberation therapy trial of its type.

The province is providing $2.2 million so 86 MS patients can be included in the two-year, double-blind trial at the Albany Medical Center, said Wall.

The procedure is not currently offered in Canada and some patients have travelled around the world to seek it out despite it having not been proven to work.

"While we're talking here, people are raising money and having bake sales and getting the support of neighbours and friends to try to go somewhere to have the treatment. Well, we should find some answers," said Wall.

The double-blind aspect of the study means only half of the patients will actually receive the treatment. The patient and the physicians who do the followup will not know if they got the treatment.

"They'll knowingly volunteer for the trials understanding that they may not get the treatment, which of course is probably what many would like to have. But they're going to do it in the interest of science, in the interest of demonstrating the efficacy of this treatment or coming to some other conclusion, which would also be helpful," said Wall.

Applicants have until Feb. 24 to apply either through the government's website or a toll-free line.

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