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UK: Medical watchdog to investigate cannabis-based medicine

Ananova

Monday 18 Feb 2002

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The Government's clinical watchdog is to study the medical use of cannabis.

It could see the drug prescribed as a painkiller on the NHS within two years.

The use of cannabis derivatives to help MS sufferers and post-operative
patients is being referred to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.

Health Minister Lord Hunt said: "If these pharmaceuticals are licensed for
medical use, it is of critical importance that Nice guidance is in place
for the clinicians who will have to make decisions about their use."

Trials funded by the Medical Research Council - with the backing of the
Department of Health and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society - to assess the
use of cannabinoids in providing pain relief are already under way.

The results are expected by the end of the year and will be used by Nice in
carrying out its appraisal of the drugs.

A decision on whether any of the cannabis derivatives being tested will be
licensed for official medical use is thought "likely" some time in 2004 or
2005.

If they do receive a licence the DoH said that the NHS would need "timely
and clear guidance" from NICE on the clinical and cost effectiveness of the
treatments.

 

 

 

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