Subj: UK: Therapy trial for cannabis



Source: The Independent (UK)



Pubdate: 28 Dec 1998





Therapy trial for cannabis



TRIALS INTO the therapeutic uses of cannabis

are to take place with the official approval of the

Government. 



The Medical Research Council stated yesterday it

would be prepared to rush through funding for the

trials, involving more than 1,000 people, provided

the necessary legal clearance was obtained from

the Home Office and the Medicines Control

Agency, the Government's licensing authority for

prescription and over-the-counter drugs. 



Protocols for the tests will be decided at a

meeting on 11 January to be attended by the

Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the council and the

Department of Health. The tests are expected to

take place in the spring. The agency will advise

the scientists on the legal and regulatory aspects

of the trials. 



The initial tests are expected to cost up to

UKP500,000 each. A spokeswoman for the council

said: "Rather than wait for our normal funding

reviews we do have the necessary powers to

expedite special payments as in the case of BSE

and CJD. Obviously this will be dependent on the

tests getting approval." 



The trials are expected to look at spasticity in

multiple sclerosis patients, chronic pain for dying

cancer patients and acute pain in patients after

operations. Multiple sclerosis sufferers will

receive the currently used treatment for controlling

muscle spasms, a second set will be given

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabis

derivative thought to have an anti-sickness effect

and a third group will be given standard cannabis

plant material. THC is not legally available in

Britain. However, the Home Office and the

council have agreed to authorise exemption to

allow the trials to take place. 



Last month the House of Lords backed the use of

cannabis for medical use and recommended a

change in the law after an eight-month inquiry.

Last week the Prince of Wales asked a multiple

sclerosis sufferer if she had tried cannabis for pain

relief.