Welcome

New NHSE commissioning policies for rituximab and IVIg

• We are pleased to announce that, largely due to the efforts of our president Prof Lunn, rituximab is now approved for treatment of IgM paraproteinaemic demyelinating peripheral neuropathy (anti-MAG phenotype, with or without anti-MAG antibodies): 1910-rituximab-for-treatment-of-PDPN-policy-v2.pdf (england.nhs.uk).  Whilst we have hitherto been able to treat some patients with rituximab by sending them to a haematologist, this was not possible if the bone marrow showed insufficient evidence of underlying lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.  These patients can now be treated, regardless of bone marrow result, either by you or by your friendly haematologist, under the new commissioning guidance. 
• Also thanks to Prof Lunn (alongside non-neurology colleagues), the updated IVIg commissioning policy is now available: Commissioning-Criteria-Policy-for-the-use-of-Ig-Version-Finala.pdf (mdsas.com).  Newly commissioned diagnoses of relevance to peripheral nerve now include acute autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy, and neuromyotonia.
• Finally, with thanks largely to the efforts of Dr Rinaldi in Oxford, rituximab can now be used for the treatment of autoimmune nodopathies (with nodal/paranodal antibodies):  NHS England » Rituximab therapy for the treatment of nodal/paranodal antibody positive inflammatory/autoimmune neuropathy in adults and postpubescent children. 

Kings Neuromuscular Symposium 2022

 This annual event will take place as an online video webinar. Friday 28th January 2022. Registration Link

GWAS study of CIDP

Members are encouraged to participate in a genome-wide association study of CIDP. Brief details can be found HERE

COVID Vaccination and GBS

Following on from the successful BPNS instigated study of GBS linked to COVID-19 infection - whhich found no evidence that COVID is a significant trigger for GBS, te society is now encouraging a similar collaborative study of GBS following COVID vaccination (any vaccine). Details can be found in the members pages - HERE (login to access)