Pubdate: Fri, 07 Nov 2003
Source: Western Mail (UK)
Copyright: Trinity Mirror Plc 2003
Contact:  http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2598
Author: Madeleine Brindley, The Western Mail
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/multiple+sclerosis

NHS Bid Follows Cannabis Trial

CAMPAIGNERS will today call for cannabis-based medicines to be made
available on the NHS as research found it could be beneficial for patients.

The first results of the nationwide cannabis and multiple sclerosis
trial has suggested the drug could have potential clinical uses for
this group of patients to control pain and improve mobility.

But the research, involving 630 patients, found cannabis and its
derivatives had no improvement on spasticity even though patients
themselves thought it did.

The findings have renewed calls for cannabis, due to be downgraded to
a Class C drug in January, to be made widely available as a licensed
medicine available on the NHS.

Mike O'Donovan, chief executive of the MS Society said, "More people
on the drugs found relief from very distressing symptoms like pain,
spasm and sleeping problems than those taking a placebo.

"These improvements to quality of life can make a significant
difference to people with MS, whose choice of treatments is very limited.

"On the evidence now available, the MS Society believes those who
might benefit should be able to have treatment prescribed on the NHS."

And Paul Flynn, MP for Newport West and a veteran campaigner for
medicinal cannabis, said he could now see few obstacles preventing
cannabis-based medicines becoming available.

"The effect on pain is justification enough," he said. "Cannabis is a
medicine with very few side effects and has been tried and tested for
thousands of years."

The first nationwide trial of the effects of cannabis on MS -
involving patients in Cardiff and Swansea - found those patients
taking THC, a cannabinoid derived from the drug, found they could walk
more easily, and almost half reported pain relief.

Two-thirds of patients taking this cannabinoid also reported
subjective improvements in spasticity despite the researchers finding
no objective evidence, according to the results published today in The
Lancet.

Dr John Zajicek, of the University of Plymouth, who led the 33-centre
trial, said, "Our results exclude any major effect of treatment of
spasticity with cannabinoids, but the effect of spasticity and pain as
assessed by patients indicates a symptomatic subjective clinical effect.

"Our findings therefore provide some evidence that cannabinoids could
be clinically useful in treatment of symptoms related to multiple
sclerosis, but more work is necessary."

Commenting on the findings Professor Luanne Metz of the University of
Calgary in Canada - a country which has licensed cannabis for
medicinal use - said, "This study will stimulate further research to
develop and evaluate safe, effective formulations of cannabis and will
inform debate over the social and legal restrictions that limit its
use.

"In the meantime, when other treatment inadequately controls
spasticity, oral cannabinoids should be considered where law permits
their possession and use."

But despite this new evidence in favour of cannabis-based medicines,
it is unlikely that the law will be changed immediately.

A spokeswoman for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory
Agency said, "The general Government position is that it is quite
happy to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act for cannabis as a medicine once
the safety, quality and efficacy is proved."

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently developing
best practice guidelines which are expected to be published next year.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake