cannabisnews.com: High Hopes for Cannabis on Prescription 










  High Hopes for Cannabis on Prescription 

Posted by CN Staff on November 08, 2002 at 20:25:29 PT
By Ian Griffiths 
Source: Guardian Unlimited 

Cannabis could be available on prescription in Britain for multiple sclerosis sufferers from next year. Results from final trials of the cannabis-based medicine developed by GW Pharmaceuticals have been much better than expected. GW will use the evidence to support an application early next year to the medicines control agency for it to go into full production.
"The performance has exceeded our own expectations," Dr, Geoffrey Guy, executive chairman of GW said. "Subject to regulatory approval we are now on track to deliver our first prescription medicine to the UK next year." The phase III trials, the final stage before regulatory approval, involving about 350 patients showed significant reduction in pain for those taking the drug rather than a placebo. The prospect of a cannabis-based drug coming to market was welcomed by interest groups across the country. About 10% of Britain's MS sufferers take cannabis to ease their pain but run the risk of prosecution. The new drug is sprayed under the tongue rather than smoked. The Medicinal Cannabis Research Foundation said: "This is great news. Many patients outside the clinical trials are at risk of breaking the law so it is imperative the medicines control agency has an early opportunity to review the evidence to allow a rapid decision on licensing." The Multiple Sclerosis Society said: "We hope we are moving much closer to the day when people with MS will have access to cannabis-derived drugs which have been proved effective and safe." The government has given GW special permission to investigate cannabis medicines and has indicated that it will change the rules to allow doctors to prescribe them if they are effective. The annual cost to the NHS of using the GW drug is expected to be £1,000 a year. Those who buy pain-relieving cannabis on the street spend anything up to £150 a week. GW has increased production of cannabis at its fortified greenhouses to 60 tons a year, Once approval has been given in Britain, GW will seek sales in Europe and Commonwealth countries. US approval will take two or three years. Source: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK)Author: Ian GriffithsPublished: Wednesday, November 6, 2002Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters guardian.co.ukWebsite: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles & Web Site:GW Pharmaceuticalshttp://www.gwpharm.com/Trials Show Cannabis Spray Helps MS Patients http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14667.shtmlBritons Could Get Cannabis on Prescription http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14663.shtmlFresh Evidence That Cannabis Reduces Painhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14322.shtml

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