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| THC Pharm welcomes first license for cannabis based medication for multiple sklerosis |
| Frankfurt, May, 3rd, 2005 THC Pharm highly commends the license approval of Sativex ® from GW Pharm in Canada. The medication against neuropathic pain in multiple sklerosis patients which is derived from cannabis is expected to be available in Canada later this year. One out of two MS patients suffers from neuropathic pain, a condition which is often treated with little or no effect. According to expert - estimates approximately one third of MS patients in rehabilitation consume cannabis illegally, orally as teas, cookies or smoked as a joint. THC Pharm which started as a patient initiative in order to help these patients has succeeded to isolate the two active main ingredients of cannabis and is supplying the European market with Dronabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). Despite positive effects in the majority of cases some health insurance companies still refuse to pay for the medication – effectively leaving no other way for patients than turning to the black market and supplying themselves with illegal cannabis of often dubious quality. The refusal of the insurance companies to settle is sometimes based on the circumstance that no cannabis medication has received approval for the treatment of MS patients. “Sativex ® will contribute to a more rational debate about the medical benefit of cannabis”, says Holger Roenitz, managing director of THC Pharm, “even though it may not be available in Germany for some time”. With the approval of Sativex ® by Health Canada, health insurance companies which have so far blocked already existing cannabis therapies may reconsider their position. In light of the rapidly expanding interest in cannabinoids for medical treatment, the Frankfurt based THC Pharm has revamped its internet presence in English. All relevant data on indications, prescriptons and therapeutic potential of the main active compounds of cannabis can be seen on www.thc-pharm.de. Due to German laws on controlled substances, relevant pages for practitioners and pharmacists are password protected. For more information please contact: Phone: +49 69 63 80 99 17 |