Cannabis drug on market
Cannabis has long been known to help ease pain in multiple sclerosis sufferers, and after 11 years in development the first cannabis-containing prescription drug has been released to the UK market.
Cannabis has long been known to help ease pain in multiple sclerosis sufferers, and after 11 years in development the first cannabis-containing prescription drug has been released to the UK market.
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| Savitex is a new drug that contains extracts of cannabis |
In June the UK Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency approved its use by as a treatment for spasticity – spasms, cramps and other similar symptoms – in multiple sclerosis patients who aren’t benefitting from other treatments. Its approval follows successful clinical trials and will cost the NHS around £11 per day for each patient.
Justin Gover, GW Pharmaceuticals’ managing director said: “Roughly one-third of multiple sclerosis patients are believed to have tried cannabis to get relief, with some surveys suggesting the proportion is as high as 43%.”
Bayer AG estimate that 100,000 people suffer from multiple sclerosis and that 11,500 people in the UK will be eligible for treatment with the drug, but only half will get a good response.
“The formal launch of Sativex represents a milestone in treating the disease,” said Pam Macfarlane, chief executive of the MS Trust, a charity which has campaigned for a licensed medicine derived from cannabis to be made available.
