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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: UK cannabis trials show 'significant' pain relief benefits
Ananova
Monday 10 Sep 2001 Preliminary results from trials of cannabis-based pain-killers have shown most patients derived a clinically significant benefit. The trials taking place in Oxford, Great Yarmouth and London are testing the pain-relieving effects of active compounds found in cannabis. Early results showed that in 41 cases out of 53 pain relief was significantly greater than when patients were given a non-active "dummy" placebo drug. GW Pharmaceuticals, which has a Home Office licence to grow cannabis for medicinal use, has presented the data at a meeting in the US. Most patients involved are suffering from multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. Dr Philip Robson, medical director at GW Pharmaceuticals, said: "This is the most comprehensive evaluation of cannabis-based medicines so far undertaken in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. "We are seeing definite trends indicating the superiority of active treatment over placebo. "These encouraging early results fully justify the expansion of the clinical research programme into larger- scale phase three pivotal trials." The Medicines Control Agency has now approved an extension of the use of cannabis-based medicines in trials from 12 months' to 24 months' treatment. Dr Geoffrey Guy, executive chairman of GW Pharmaceuticals, said: "We remain confident of being able to present data on quality, safety and efficacy to the UK regulatory authorities in 2003, and - subject to approval - bring the first cannabis-based prescription medicine to market in early 2004."
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