Inquest probes drug link to death

A 69-YEAR-OLD woman developed severe mental health problems after taking part in trials of a cannabis-based treatment and died five months later, an inquest heard today.

Diabetic Rene Anderson became “confused and intoxicated” three days after starting to take the drug Sativex, derived from cannabis. A coroner was told how Mrs Anderson, of Silkstone Close, Sheffield, was admitted to hospital after her mental state had deteriorated so much “she was not the same person.”

The inquest, which could have far-ranging implications for the use of drugs derived from cannabis, heard retired supermarket supervisor Mrs Anderson’s physical condition declined until she died on March 3 last year from acute kidney failure.

She had been taking part in a trial supervised by diabetes expert Dr Solomon Tesfaye, to investigate whether cannabis could provide pain relief for diabetic neuropathy sufferers.

He said Sativex, which is not yet licensed in the UK, had shown good results in Multiple Sclerosis sufferers.

The consultant told the inquest he asked the drug firm GM Pharmaceuticals to supply Sativex for the trial and the research was funded by Diabetes UK.

Dr Tesfaye said he was first aware of Mrs Anderson’s case when her family complained about her mental problems.

He said: “My understanding was that there was some confusion and intoxication, as if being drunk.”

The doctor said the dose was reduced on advice from GM Pharmaceuticals but Mrs Anderson’s daughter, Jackie Sadler, rang back two weeks later to tell his colleague of her mother’s deterioration.

Sheffield Coroner Chris Dorries heard how Mrs Anderson suffered a series of physical problems in hospital, including pneumonia, culminating in her death.

The coroner said the purpose of the inquest was to examine what links there were, if any, between the experimental treatment and the physical deterioration which led to Mrs Anderson’s death. The inquest is set to last five to six days.