"Named patient" prescribing for Sativex given go-ahead
15 Nov 2005
The import of cannabis-based medicine Sativex from Canada for individual users has been approved by the Home Office, but as an unlicensed medicine.
The Home Office has agreed that the cannabis-based medicine, Sativex may be imported from Canada for prescription to individual patients in the UK as an unlicensed medicine. The manufacturers, GW Pharmaceuticals, say this development is in response to enquiries from a number of UK doctors and individual patients who have been in contact with the Home Office to request access to the drug.
Mike O'Donovan, chief executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Society said:
"This is a move in the right direction. We believe there is now good evidence that cannabis-derived medicine can relieve distressing symptoms like spasticity 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."
When the Society spoke at a Medicines Commission hearing on Sativex earlier this year, it was stressed that the choice of available treatments for a fluctuating condition like MS did not always detect significant benefits patients feel.
Mike O'Donovan, chief executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Society said:
"This is a move in the right direction. We believe there is now good evidence that cannabis-derived medicine can relieve distressing symptoms like spasticity 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."
When the Society spoke at a Medicines Commission hearing on Sativex earlier this year, it was stressed that the choice of available treatments for a fluctuating condition like MS did not always detect significant benefits patients feel.
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