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The London Hospital Medical College
University of London
BONE and JOINT RESEARCH UNIT
Telephone 01-247 5454
Arthritis and Rheumatism Council Building
25-29 Ashfield Street, London E1 2AD.
ext. 420 421
422 423
Mr. Claude Pepper,
Chairman,
Select Committee on Aging,
712, House Annex
20515,
Washington, D.C.
1,
U.S.A.
EGLB/WMM
..:
12th March, 1980.
Dear Mr. Pepper,
In reply to your letter dated February 29th, 1980, dimethyl
sulfoxide is by itself not authorised for medical treatment.
It is used as a solvent for drugs used in skin disease such
as herpes. An individual doctor however, can prescribe it
for the purposes of clinical trials, provided he has the
permission of his local ethical committee and the Medicine
Commission of the NHS (Act 68 and 71).
My own experience is extremely meagre. Some years ago we
used it on the skin in systemic sclerosis without much effect.
It has been used more widely in Europe. In general it is not
used by Rheumatologists in Great Britain.
I have now retired as President of the European League Against
Rheumatism, and my successor is Professor Nassonova, in the
Institute of Rheumatology, Moscow. She may be able to help.
Yours sincerely, t
قته
Eric G. L. Bywaters, CBE., FRCP., FACP.,
