ME Association statement
STATEMENT BY DR CHARLES SHEPHERD, MEDICAL ADVISER, ME ASSOCIATION
The downside is that Rituximab is a very expensive drug with a potential to cause serious side-effects.
The problem with this statement is, if it's easily available for patients with lymphoma, and in rheumatology, and if governments and insurance companies approve if for these conditions, if it's deemed appropriate and indicated for patients with ME who might actually return to their productive and thriving living, then why is "very expensive drug" a problem? Why are patients with ME not worthy of a treatment that has 2 chances out of 3 to be successful? It is better than lottery!
There are therapies out there which cost much more, for intance the new drugs for Hepatite C, for which my government approved last month.
We are worth the investment. And please leave it to patients to decide whether the potential side effects are worth the risk. An informed decision as part of the consent to treatment is important. Patients ned to read the 'fine print'.
At the local clinic, the bio-psycho-social approach reigns. Definitely, this is a cheaper model than offering treatments like Ampligen, Valcyte, IVIg and Rituximab.
Food for thought. we are worthy of serious medical treatments.