Canada approves GW Pharma drug in cannabis first

[firefox]

Regulatory approval for the cannabis extract known as Sativex was expected in the UK by the end of 2003. I thought the biggest story in the cannabis world of 2003 was the denial of Sativex in the UK. It was denied by more stonewalling through all of 2004 and even today as Canada beat the acceptance of Sativex by its home country.

So today, Canada lets down the gate and the stonewall defense is no longer workable by the prohibitionists. The warning label is of particular interest as cannabis is a model of safety in the pharmacological world. It will be nice to see people actually take the Sativex on television and tell of the transformation. With MS this can be dramatic as a person can go from wheelchair to walking with the use of cannabis in just a few minutes.

Following are the first four paragraphs of the announcement by the Globe and Mail newspaper out of Toronto- http://tinyurl.com/8bhdf

Canada is the first country in the world to approve a cannabis spray that relieves pain in people with multiple sclerosis, Health Canada said Tuesday.

The announcement sent shares of the U.K. maker of the drug, GW Pharmaceuticals Plc, up as much as 14 per cent in London. Bayer AG will market the drug in Canada.

Sativex, which is administered through a spray in the mouth, relieves pain in patients that suffer from MS, the government agency said. It's expected to hit the shelves by late spring.

“Effective pain control and management are extremely important in a disease like MS,” said Dr. Allan Gordon, neurologist and director of the Wasser Pain Management Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, in a statement. “The approval of Sativex in Canada reflects the urgent need for additional treatment options in the field of neuropathic pain in MS.”

[Selteri]

1. At least someone is stepping forward

Looks like a few people I know who suffer from MS will be making a jaunt up noth of the boarder, I'll lay odds that that'll be rushing there very quickly at the offer of anything to help them in controlling thier pain.

It's a devistating disease and I'm glad that it has been approved for those who suffer from MS.

[Mnemosyne]

2. Will your friends have it stolen at the border though?

They've been taking seniors meds coming through the postal system. Even stain drugs. It's a shame. They only want you (if you can get something prescribed!) taking things with horrid side effects. I guess so they can sell you more pills to counteract the side effects and then more for the side effects of those pills for the side effects!!!

Argh!!!!!!!!!!!! I just would like to not hurt all the damn time and not have to be totally paranoid to do anything that helps.

Thanks for the post Selteri, didn't know if I could find any that weren't pope related today.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. Weed relieves pain - well well, what a surprise - -

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I know people that have cupboards full of Prozac, percocet, etc. that they forgo for some homegrown to relieve symptoms of fybromyalgia, chronic arthritis, major back pain etc.

Of course it's illegal, but the sufferers have found that the weed relieves the pain with no side effects, well, other than a general sense of well-being, if that can be called a side effect

Many have given up their battery of "legal" drugs for the weed - and find that their life improves greatly -

weed being illegal, and alcohol legal

sumthing wrong there - -

[Griffy]

4. When science wins out someday, the benefits of weed will made available...

and legal... going to jail for weed is ridiculious in a "free" society! .. and like any drug some control is required.. open and accurate information is the best way to help the public.

.. perhaps someday we will make a government that actually works to HELP the public...