A GLASGOW woman is urging Scots to join a campaign for clinical trials of a drug believed to help people with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and cancer.

A GLASGOW woman is urging Scots to join a campaign for clinical trials of a drug believed to help people with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and cancer.

Margaret Gachagan, of Garthamlock, is calling for the UK Government to fund trials of Low Dose Naltrexone.

There is anecdotal evidence the drug could also help improve and extend the lives of people with other conditions, such as Crohn's Diseases.

High doses of Naltrexone are used to treat people with addictions such as alcohol and heroin.

It boosts the immune system by stimulating production of endorphines and has been found to help people with fatal or chronic conditions in much lower doses.

However, because it is not licensed as a therapy for those conditions most doctors are reluctant to prescribe it.

But some GPs, including Dr Chris Steel, who regularly appears on ITV's This Morning programme, are backing calls for trials of the drug.

Ms Gachagan, a training consultant, said: "I have a friend with a condition that LDN has made a huge difference to and feel it is important everyone has the opportunity to know about this drug.

"We need clinical trials to investigate whether LDN could help thousands of people with chronic conditions and determine whether it should be approved for wider use on the NHS.

"The pharmaceutical manufacturers are reluctant to fund trials because they could potentially lose billions of pounds as it is cheaper than other drugs used to treat a wide range of conditions.

"But it could save the NHS vast sums of money and improve and extend lives."

LDN Awareness Week begins today and the campaigners must collect 50,000 signatures on their petition by the end of November.

To view Dr Steele's appeal for signatures on YouTube go to: http://tinyurl.com/DrCLDN

You can also find out more about the campaign: at www.LDNNow.com