MS patients UK, legal cannabis-based pain-relief

[bigfootedfred]

Multiple sclerosis patients in the UK are to be able to get a cannabis-based pain-relief drug from their doctor for the first time, it has been announced.

Sativex has already been licensed for use in Canada to relieve pain in people with MS.

The Home Office has now said the drug can be imported to the UK for individual patient's use.

MS charities welcomed the development as a step towards the drug being fully licensed for use on the NHS.


This is a move in the right direction
Mike O'Donovan, MS Society

Eighty-five thousand people in the UK have MS. It is not yet certain how many of them would benefit from Sativex.

The drug is a mouth spray containing two chemicals found in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.

The announcement is believed to be in response to enquiries to the Home Office from doctors and patients about access to the drug.

'Quality of life'

Under the new arrangements, the prescription of Sativex would only be permitted under Home Office licence.


PAIN RELIEF
Sativex can significantly reduce nerve pain in MS patients, a study has shown.
Researchers at Liverpool's Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery compared the drug with a dummy version in a study of 66 patients.
Dr Carolyn Young, who led the research which was published in the journal Neurology, said the drug was seen to reduce pain and sleep disturbance.

A doctor would have to take responsibility for the prescription of the unlicensed drug, which would have to be imported from Canada for that particular patient.

Primary care trusts could decide to fund the treatment on the NHS. Otherwise, patients would cost patients approximately £4 a day.

The government has asked a watchdog, the Commission on Human Medicines, to monitor the safety of Sativex.

Mike O'Donovan, chief executive of the MS Society said the prescription of the drug was: "a move in the right direction".

He added: "We believe there is now good evidence that cannabis-derived medicine can relieve distressing symptoms like spasticity [stiffness and muscle spasms] and pain in MS.

"Many people do not find available treatments effective and will now have the opportunity to try a new drug which could significantly improve their quality of life.

"We very much hope it will not be long before it is licensed for NHS prescription."

Cannabis research

Chris Jones, chief executive of the MS Trust added: "We must, however, highlight that, as with any treatment to alleviate MS symptoms, those which work for some people may not for others.

"With this in mind, we are pleased that people with MS may now have the opportunity, in discussion with their doctors, to access this treatment safely and legally and find out for themselves whether it is beneficial."

In a statement, the MHRA has said it did not object to the importation of Sativex for use to relieve pain in MS patients, but said it must be informed if the product was intended to be used for any other condition.

It added: "Under current regulations, the MHRA may only refuse an application to import an unlicensed medicine into the UK to meet the needs of a particular patient if there are overriding concerns about the product's safety or quality.

"Lack of proven efficacy is not a ground for refusing the import."

The company which makes Sativex, GW Pharmaceuticals, has been seeking a UK licence for the drug since 2003.

It has been granted a licence to cultivate cannabis for medical research purposes in the UK. Plants are being grown at a secret location in the English countryside.

The company says it will continue to seek a full UK licence for the drug.

Shares GW Pharmaceuticals' have jumped by 20% since news of the Home Office announcement emerged.

source

well.
all i can say is its about bloody time.

[Masquerade]

It is definately a good thing.

[Guderian]

I thought the title said MS (Microsoft) patents UK, legal cannabis based pain relief. WTF! Well this is not as interesting, but this can only be a good thing. The pain suffered by these people is unimaginable.

[almeja]

Hello people
Take care not to mock this subject... Canabis has been used for thousands of years for pain relief, and in fact it is even manufactured by our own brain to assist. What was announced today might be a surprise to those who have never been involved in a MS case, but I assure you it is no surprise to the medical community; we have long awaited the circulation of such a drug (which was, incidentally, made illegal only due to the commonly misunderstood properties of the cannabis during the early 50's.)

God help those people. As yet, we can't. Whatever we can do to reduce their misery, we should do. No, must do.

[Jaguar]

almeja, I think you misunderstood the bit about our brain.

In any case, I fully agree. It's fine time to seek completely rational and logical ways to help people
and dismiss stupid prejudice.

[First Crusader]

The media is treating weed like some kind of gift from God. Like there aren't any other pain killers they could use.

[Jaguar]

The media is treating weed like some kind of gift from God. Like there aren't any other pain killers they could use.

The fact is there ARE other painkillers, but cannabis is easily and cheaply produced, with no ill effects on the environment,
it has far less negative consequences on the user than other painkillers.

[First Crusader]

The fact is there ARE other painkillers, but cannabis is easily and cheaply produced, with no ill effects on the environment,
it has far less negative consequences on the user than other painkillers.

Of course, one could take a pain killer that doesn't play with your mind.

weed

Yeah, the negative effects are not too bad - as long as you don't have a "bad trip".

The main problem with this practice is that it undermines the ability of the police to enforce the ban on other people.

[bigfootedfred]

Of course, one could take a pain killer that doesn't play with your mind.

weed

Yeah, the negative effects are not too bad - as long as you don't have a "bad trip".

The main problem with this practice is that it undermines the ability of the police to enforce the ban on other people.

a bad trip?

mate, its not LSD, its CANNABIS.
its a very light hallicgenic, with other effects being similar to tranqullisers, and suprise suprise, pain relief.
if you have never smoked canabis, or you are not an expert in cannabis, dont assume you know the effects thankyou.

[First Crusader]

a bad trip?

mate, its not LSD, its CANNABIS.
its a very light hallicgenic, with other effects being similar to tranqullisers, and suprise suprise, pain relief.
if you have never smoked canabis, or you are not an expert in cannabis, dont assume you know the effects thankyou.

And I take it you are an expert?

Quote from link already provided.

Longer-term and chronic effects
A number of longer-term effects have been seen in people who use cannabis heavily. Some New Zealand researchers define heavy use as using 10 times or more in a 30-day period.

Heavy cannabis use effects can include the following.

An increased risk of developing cancer of the respiratory tract. These risks are more likely to do with smoking as the method of taking cannabis, rather than the properties of the drug itself.
An adverse effect on people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, since cannabis use significantly raises the heart rate. (There is no evidence that cannabis use will cause permanent damaging effects to a normal, healthy cardiovascular system.)
A risk of developing chronic bronchitis, possibly irreversible obstructive lung disease, possibly lung cancer and cancers of the aero-digestive tract.
Heavy use of cannabis is sometimes associated with a reduction in energy and drive. This has been referred to as "amotivation" (not having any motivation). This problem is more likely to be an acute effect which will go away if cannabis use stops. There is poor evidence of this syndrome existing even among heavy, long-term cannabis users.
Heavy cannabis use affects the ability to learn. This is related to decreased concentration levels, reduced short-term memory and difficulties with thinking. These problems go away if cannabis use stops.
Chronic, heavy cannabis use can reduce sex drive in some people. It can lower sperm count in males and lead to irregular periods in females. This problem goes away if cannabis use stops.
People can become dependent on cannabis (see section below on 'Problematic use of cannabis').
Many people with mental health problems also use cannabis. Generally, it is not a good drug for such people to use. People with mental health problems need to try to keep their brain level or stable. Cannabis excites and then slows the brain down. In particular, it can make anyone who has ever been paranoid, more paranoid.

So the effects are just as dangerous as any other drug. So how about using one that's legal?

[bigfootedfred]

Hello people
Take care not to mock this subject... Canabis has been used for thousands of years for pain relief, and in fact it is even manufactured by our own brain to assist. What was announced today might be a surprise to those who have never been involved in a MS case, but I assure you it is no surprise to the medical community; we have long awaited the circulation of such a drug (which was, incidentally, made illegal only due to the commonly misunderstood properties of the cannabis during the early 50's.)

two memebers of my extended family have MS.
both of them already smoke cannabis, a legal option on the NHS(they are still deciding if it should be on the NHS,but i dont see how they could decide not to) is great news.

[Masquerade]

Then they'd be using them.

[Guderian]

I don't think your likely to have a bad trip using weed unless someone is purposely trying to freak you out. If it's taken in a controlled environment i.e your home or the hospital there is a very low chance of problems occuring. Just don't try to drive or do any other tasks that require concentration and you will be fine.

[Punkus]

Yeah, the negative effects are not too bad - as long as you don't have a "bad trip".

Hmm, that's not so bad when considering other medications can cause rashes, mood swings, bone fragility, stomach bleeding, infertility, high blood pressure, liver and/or kidney dysfunction, DEATH...etc etc.

Weed is no more horrible than a lot of other government approved drugs.

[bigfootedfred]

Weed is no more horrible than a lot of other government approved drugs.

and if used in the method suggested by above news artcile, negates the bad effects of smoking it with tabbaco.

[imb39]

It's great news. The sooner we, as a society, stop our hypocrisy over drugs the better. This has proved beyond doubt to have benefits. It is shameful that it has taken so long for the powers that be to catch up...

[First Crusader]

I agree with you, I see no reason to keep this stuff illegal - especially if legalization would break the back of the drug cartels.

[imb39]

The drug laws in the West are totally illogical. Alcohol has some benefits (if drunk in extreme moderation) but smoking has none - diddly-squat. If it was discovered today, it would be banned. The revenues from taxation make it worthwhile. Personally, I take the view that cannabis should be legalised. Harder drugs, such as heroine too... Once they are legalised the state can assume some control, put the crime lords of Columbia etc. out of business and ensure that the 'product' is safer. The battle against drugs was lost. It was lost millenia ago when man first brewed beer and wine. It was lost when tobacco was first smoked/chewed. It was lost when opium from Britain flooded China.

[First Crusader]

Unfortunately, I wouldn't trust those studies saying moderate drinking is good. I think those guys are just pandering to what the public WISHES was true.

[Jaguar]

LOL, a 'trip' on canabis... I wish