cannabisnews.com: MS Cannabis Draws Closer MS Cannabis Draws Closer Posted by CN Staff on May 20, 2002 at 09:48:21 PT Patients hopeful that cannabis will be available Source: BBC News The evidence for and against cannabis-based drugs for multiple sclerosis is to be tested by a government watchdog over the next year, it was confirmed on Monday. The use of cannabinoids to relieve some of the symptoms of the illness is to be included in the next "work programme" of the National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness (NICE). If the go-ahead is given, it is likely they could be available in 2004. NICE was set up to appraise new and expensive treatments to see if they work - and are worth the money. Cannabinoids - drugs which are derived from the cannabis plant - are under test in several clinical trials. Relief from pain Some MS patients already smoke the drug illegally, saying that it relieves some of the muscle stiffness and tremor which characterise the illness. Provided these treatments are shown to work in clinical trials, we are in favour of getting these drugs to patients suffering from these symptoms as quickly as possible -- Spokesman, MS Society If approved as a pharmaceutical drug, it would be taken in capsule form - or as a spray under the tongue - and would probably be formulated so the patient did not experience any narcotic sensations. The MS Society, which represents the interests of patients, welcomed the move. A spokesman said: "Provided these treatments are shown to work in clinical trials, we are in favour of getting these drugs to patients suffering from these symptoms as quickly as possible." Other controversial drugs are also to come under consideration from NICE. Leukaemia drug Among these is Glivec, which may yet win approval as a therapy for some patients a form of leukaemia. Now NICE will examine whether it could help more patients - including those with an earlier form of the disease. A study published on Monday added weight to this theory. It suggested that early leukaemia patients given the drug did benefit. Other therapies included in the work programme included Mabthera for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Clopidogrel for heart patients. Recent trials have suggested both are effective. Health Minister Lord Hunt said: "NICE was set up to help ensure that patients have equal access to treatments which are both clinically and cost effective wherever they live and that the health service has clear evidence-based guidance on the most up-to-date ways of treating patients." A spokesman for GW Pharmaceuticals, one of the firms funding trials of cannabinoids, said: "This is a significant step along the road towards the nationwide provision of cannabis-based prescription medicines for NHS patients." Note: Patients are hopeful that cannabis medicines will be available.Source: BBC News (UK Web)Published: Monday, May 20, 2002Copyright: 2002 BBC Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Contact: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/Related Articles & Web Sites:UK Medicinal Cannabis Projecthttp://www.medicinal-cannabis.org/Chronic Cannabis Use in PDF Formathttp://freedomtoexhale.com/ccu.pdfCannabinoids in Pain Managementhttp://freedomtoexhale.com/drr.htmMedical Cannabis on the NHS Moves a Step Closerhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12900.shtmlBefore I Can Get Cannabis On The NHShttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12821.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by Nuevo Mexican on May 20, 2002 at 14:01:25 PT Remember the WAR on drugs? is a war too. (Their phrasing) and I can understand your distaste for the subject. My wife is with you on that one! (she's a Scorpio too!) Political awareness is something that comes with awareness of Cannabis persecution. The difference is in semantics (language). This is for Kap, dddd, BGreen, Jose, GCW and those who are interested in the crossover effect. I do understand how you feel, but our window of oppurtunity will close soon, and I feel an urgent sense of keeping the window open as long as possible! Pre-911 warnings: Interviews available http://www.commondreams.org/news2002/0520-05.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on May 20, 2002 at 12:48:37 PT Nuevo Mexican Thanks for the links. I don't know what to say but I really would like to talk about cannabis more then the war right now. I sure hope that is ok. I am not following the war. I'm not interested really. It depresses me and I lose my focus and we are making progress and I want it to continue. Thanks so much and I hope you understand. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Nuevo Mexican on May 20, 2002 at 12:36:11 PT For you, FOM and Nancy, if your still here. Off topic? This should help you get your bearings on the political landscape that lies before all of us:Israeli Singer shunned for Questioning (war on the Palestinians)http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-israel-silenced-singer0520may20.story?coll=sns%2Dap%2Dworld%2Dheadlines'Seeking answers at any cost'http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/134/metro/Seeking_answers_at_any_cost+.shtmlIt is my duty to keep Cannabis Freedom Fighters informed of the issues that surround the motives of their government, and governments that we support to the tune of 4 Billion dollars a year! One of my inspirations: FOM! Thank you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by p4me on May 20, 2002 at 11:42:34 PT Just one more thing I guess I have said about all I can say. About the only thing I haven't said is piss on Busch. Now that I have said that you can understand that I hope the sales of rubber balloons in the shape of Busch and sponge likenesses are found with a yellow substance all over Washington. So with the last farewell to the Piss on Washington idea I will acronym it to POW.So as I have said it all I will chech in with a: I Call Bullshit, Vote Against All Incubents, and a Piss On Washington with a simple ICBS,VAAI, and POWI really enjoy having Canadian Honey from Family Dollar to have with oatmeal. Canadian Honey is the only sweet in my diet. I am starting to bore even myself when all I have to talk about is oatmeal and Canadian Honey. It is just that having Canadian Honey makes me think about liberty and sanity returning to the nations of the earth.Believe me I cannot think of one more thing unless it would be that we need a new understanding of states rights and a constitutional amendment debate should begin and get rid of the Department of Education and the DEA.Yep, that is it.ICBS,VAAI,POW [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 20, 2002 at 10:57:38 PT: Compare and Contrast Compare and contrast this story with the last. In the USA, the feds are trying to put the chokehold on physicians that recommend cannabis, and the MS Society is spineless in defense of their patients that choose this modality.In the UK, the government is supporting, and encouraging the research, while the MS Society helps patients to get cannabis information, and backs its use as medicine once the trials are completed.Unless you feel the British are a different species, there should be a little equal protection under the law here, as well. It's why we had a revolution in 1776. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment