Glasgow LDN Conference 2009

David Gluck has commented by e mail that three months might not be long enough to properly evaluate the impact of LDN on Psoriasis as it is one of the most difficult conditions to treat. My limited clinical experience would confirm the cyclical nature of the condition which seems to be very sensitive to changes in the immune system. Stress or alcohol could have a marked effect and prevent the full effect of LDN from being expressed. I plan to review the trial at the three month point and if we do not have significant changes we will consider extending it. We have recruited four of the ten target patients and will give a push in the new year for the remaining six cases.

The first LDN psoriasis pilot started in Glasgow yesterday. The plan is to recruit ten subjects who will receive LDN for three months. The first two patients were inducted into the trial at The Essential Health Clinic in Glasgow on the 10th December. It is hoped that the trial will be completed in time to be presented at the Conference in April in Glasgow. There are almost 1million psoriasis sufferers in the UK and 125 million worldwide. Although there are now some very effective treatments for severe psoriasis, the vast majority of patients do not qualify for this sometimes toxic treatment. There is a clear gap in the treatment provision for a non toxic oral treatment which could be LDN.

The Medicine Health Regulatory Authority have banned imports of LDN capsules into the UK unless they are produced by a pharmaceutical company to good manufacturing standards. This effectively has stopped all imports from the USA where the capsules were produced by Irmat and Skips compounding pharmacies. Dickson’s pharmacy in Glasgow has assured us that they can supply the entire UK demand as it stands but as the number of patients on LDN increase we will need another solution. In the meantime, as long as there is a private prescription, Dickson’s will be able to supply liquid LDN in either a  bottle or individual doses.

The General Medical Council have announced that all doctors in the UK will require to be licensed in order to prescribe from Autumn 2009. This will require revaildation of the competency of each individual doctor and affects both the NHS and private sector. If you are receiving an LDN prescription from a private doctor you should enquire about whether they intend to be licensed in the future. If they do not or have difficulty getting a license then it is important that you make other arrangements for your prescription as soon as possible.

This is the first entry in my online diary for the LDN conference in Glasgow 25th April 2009. I will keep updates on news on the conference and LDN in general in the lead up to this very exciting conference.