Cannabis News The November Coalition
  Further Trials of Cannabis Medicines
Posted by FoM on April 13, 2002 at 10:22:14 PT
Tests on cannabis's medicinal use being expanded 
Source: BBC News 

medical Trials of cannabis-based medicines are to be extended to see if the drug is effective at reducing pain in a wider range of conditions. GW Pharmaceuticals, based in Salisbury, Wiltshire, is already looking at whether cannabis-based medicines reduce three types of pain, including general pain associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Four new trials will be established to look at how effective the medicines are in treating:

* pain in spinal cord injury

* sleep disrupted by pain in multiple sclerosis (MS)sufferers

* nerve-damage pain in MS

* General nerve-damage pain, specifically allodynia, a condition where people feel pain from something which does not normally hurt, such as clothes brushing across skin

The three existing trials look at the medicines' effects on cancer pain and brachial plexus injury - a severe form of nerve-damage pain, as well as general MS pain.

Altogether, around 600 patients from around the UK will be involved in the seven trials of the medicines, which are administered via an under-the-tongue spray

Deeper research

Last October the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, said cannabis may be legalised for medicinal use.

GW Pharmaceuticals aims to seek regulatory approval from the Medicines Control Agency for its medications in 2003.

A spokesman for GW Pharmaceuticals explained why the company was now focussing on these four new areas of research.

"What we were finding was that the pain in MS was seriously disrupting sleep patterns.

"There were people who hadn't had a decent night's sleep for a decade or more.

"We are also looking at allodynia. In the past, people have been put on antidepressants, which its transpired have some effect, but they have a large number of side-effects too."

In addition to the other main areas of research into spinal cord pain and nerve pain in MS, the company is also carrying out early research into using cannabis-based medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Anecdotal evidence

GW Pharmaceuticals' spokesman added: "We are going deeper and wider into existing areas of research, such as the medicines' effect on MS."

Chris Jones, Chief Executive of the MS Trust welcomed the extension of the company's trials: "Many of the 85,000 people with MS in Britain suffer from symptoms such as muscle stiffness, spasms (spasticity), pain and sleep disturbance.

"For many of these people, there is anecdotal evidence that suggests cannabis has provided significant symptom relief, seemingly without side-effects.

"We therefore welcome any new research into possible licensed cannabis based medicines."

We welcome any new research into possible licensed cannabis based medicines. -- Chris Jones, MS Trust

Newshawk: Charlie
Source: BBC News (UK Web)
Published: Friday, April 12, 2002
Copyright: 2002 BBC
Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Contact: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/

Related Articles & Web Site:

GW Pharmaceuticals
http://www.gwpharm.com/

GW Pharma Doubles Cannabis Drug Trials
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12506.shtml

Pot Pain-Killer Under Consideration for Britons
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12041.shtml

Cannabis Derivative Drugs May Be Made Available
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12034.shtml


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Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on April 13, 2002 at 13:39:55 PT
Assimilation during a pogrom
I think the metaphor is apt.

I suppose lives were saved by assimilation too.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #2 posted by Nuevo Mexican on April 13, 2002 at 12:50:42 PT
Take this poll!!!!
One hour ago, more than 600 votes separated the yes from the no responses, sceptical of the shrub version, it looks like its been freeped (Free Republic e-mail activists) as it has changed dramatically, so let's 'cannibinize' the poll as I know most here don't buy the bush 'tearists' line. There are thousands of C-news lurkers, let's see what a difference C-news can make on this poll! http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/news/0402/12mckinney.html

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #1 posted by Patrick on April 13, 2002 at 12:00:26 PT
Go England/Great Britain/Isle of Whales etc etc
We here in DEAth land err I mean HomieLanD living under the flag of Condition YELLOW welcome you Brits for having the courage to say…

"We therefore welcome any new research into possible licensed cannabis based medicines."

over here…

In the past, people have been put on antidepressants, which its transpired have some effect, but they have a large number of side-effects too."

The biggest side effect being the increase in adolescent prescription medicine usage and the padding of pharmaceutical company pockets and stock portfolios of the prison/asset forfeiture/politics industry. Asset Forfeiture law is like a cancer running loose in our law enforcement establishment. And the folks that enforce prohibition are in serious need of some cannabis as medical treatment for their anxiety over my personal use of cannabis for a pleasant experience.

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