MS patients: Cannabis-based drug move ‘fantastic’

Multiple sclerosis sufferers have described the decision by the Department of Health to legislate for cannabis-based drugs as “fantastic news”.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society had made numerous representations to the department seeking market authorisation for such treatments.

These treatments are used to relieve muscle spasms in patients with MS.

Research completed last year by the University of Limerick, in association with the MS Society, showed that 68% of MS patients experience muscle spasms and 41% of them use some form of drug to treat them.

The brand, Sativex, which is used as a spray, has been authorised for use in Britain for some time. Its manufacturers had asked the Irish Medicines Board to authorise the drug’s use in Ireland and now the agency is approving its sale in Ireland based on its “quality, safety and efficacy”.

The advice to the Department of Heath is that it is a “a valid treatment option”.

Yesterday, the Department of Health said it intends bringing forward legislative proposals on the matter by the end of this year, or early next year.

At present, Sativex can’t be prescribed under the Misuse of Drugs regulations.

Advice has been sought from experts on how best to legally describe cannabis-based medicinal products, while maintaining existing controls on cannabis and cannabis substances.

Sativex is available in Britain, Germany and Denmark for use where other treatments haven’t worked.

A MS Society spokesman said it had always supported the “best treatment options” as sought by a medical practitioner.

“Sativex is one of a number of treatments that can be used to relieve the symptoms of MS. We are always delighted to see more come on the market. It increases choice for patients and their doctors. MS is a chronic illness and can’t be cured so treatment options are vitally important,” she said.