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UK: High Hopes for Cannabis on Prescription

Ian Griffiths

The Guardian

Wednesday 06 Nov 2002

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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.

 

 

 

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