T
The420Guy
Guest
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
=A31,000 a year. Those who buy pain-relieving cannabis on the street
spend anything up to =A3150 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.
Pubdate: Wed, 06 Nov 2002
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers Limited
Contact: letters@guardian.co.uk
Website: https://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/
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
=A31,000 a year. Those who buy pain-relieving cannabis on the street
spend anything up to =A3150 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.
Pubdate: Wed, 06 Nov 2002
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers Limited
Contact: letters@guardian.co.uk
Website: https://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/