GcMAF/First Immune ‘is very speculative and comes with serious concerns about its safety’. | 28 November 2018

 

Dr Charles Shepherd, Hon. Medical Adviser, ME Association.

We have covered the use of this unlicensed product in relation to ME/CFS before.

This was back in 2015 when the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency shut down production at Immuno Biotech in Cambridge and urged patients who had taken the product to see their GPs.

A further disturbing news report appeared last week on the BBC that relates to proceedings at Southwark crown court and the prosecution of Immuno Biotech founder, David Noakes.

“Noakes, 65, of Waldershare, Dover, pleaded guilty to charges of manufacturing, supplying and selling the unlicensed medicine and money laundering. He is expected to be sentenced next week.”

“Only four of the 17 patients did not complain of side effects after taking the human blood-based product – said to be derived from GcMAF, a cancer therapy treatment, the judge was told.”

“One customer said she went into “toxic shock” and “almost died numerous times”, with two ambulance trips and “endless ER visits”.”

“Others described headaches, nausea, and abdominal pain, side effects Noakes described as “negligible” for people suffering “complicated” ailments.”

“Sixty-five per cent of people taking GcMAF improved, he added, rising to 85% if they took 10 or more vials of the product.”

“On Wednesday, the court heard from a member of a self-help group for people with chronic fatigue syndrome based in Chester.”

“Joan Crawford, a chartered chemical engineer, told the court about half of the 16 members who took GcMAF in 2012 experienced positive changes, while a quarter experienced no change, and just “a couple” felt worse in the short-term.”

“During the hearing Noakes defended GcMAF as a treatment for a number of conditions, but on Tuesday said he no longer claims it cures cancer.”

In 2015 I stated that the ME Association was aware that people with ME/CFS were taking this product, but that no research evidence existed for its safety or efficacy in the treatment of this disease. This remains the position today.

This product is very speculative and comes with serious concerns about its safety. It is not something we can recommend. If you are considering this product – or others like it – then please speak to your GP in the first instance.

 

 

 

from ME Association
https://www.meassociation.org.uk/2018/11/gcmaf-first-immune-is-very-speculative-and-comes-with-serious-concerns-about-its-safety-28-november-2018/

from https://www.meassociation.org.uk

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