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UK: 'Cannabis Drug Helps Arthritis Victims'

Louisa Nesbitt

The Scotsman

Wednesday 09 Jun 2004

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A pioneering cannabis-based medicine designed to treat multiple sclerosis
has helped reduce pain in arthritis sufferers, it was announced today.

Trials of Sativex, produced by drugs company GW Pharmaceuticals, showed
that the mouth spray reduced pain and improved the quality of patients' sleep.

The company is currently waiting for regulatory approval to use Sativex to
treat multiple sclerosis and neuropathic pain.

Dr Philip Robson, director of GW's Cannabinoid Research Institute, said
this was the first controlled trial of a cannabis-based medicine on arthritis.

He said: "This exploratory trial provides further strong support to our
belief that cannabis-based medicines may offer therapeutic potential across
a range of medical conditions."

GW tested the mouth spray on 58 rheumatoid arthritis patients and found
that it significantly improved pain and the quality of sleep.

Side effects were minimal and none of the patients dropped out of the tests.

Before it is made available to arthritis patients, Sativex will have to
pass a further trial and then gain regulatory approval.

A spokesman said further tests would not start until the company had gained
approval for the drug to treat multiple sclerosis. GW had initially hoped
this would happen in the first half of 2004 but this date was set back as
regulators sought more information.

An update on the situation is expected when the company unveils interim
results later this month.

GW, which floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2002, is the only company
to legally develop and produce cannabis-derived treatments.

It also plans to explore the possibility of creating a cannabis-related
drug to treat diabetes and Crohn's disease.

The company grows about 40,000 cannabis plants a year at a secret site in
the English countryside and by the end of its financial year had 127
employees, compared with 110 in 2002.

Due to its cannabis content, Sativex will require a change in the law,
which ministers have already said they will recommend.

 

 

 

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