CANNABIS "CAN HELP MS PATIENTS"

CANNABIS can help reduce pain in patients with multiple sclerosis
(MS), a new study of its health benefits showed today.

Various clinical trials have been looking into the potential use of
cannabinoids - extracts of cannabis - in drugs to help patients with
painful, debilitating conditions such as MS.

But opinion is divided over whether they offer any real benefit to
patients, despite some MS sufferers risking criminal charges to buy
the class C drug in the belief that it helps ease their symptoms.

The latest study among 24 patients in Denmark used the cannabis
extract dronabinol to test its effect on pain relief.

The participants were given dronabinol capsules or identical-looking
placebo pills for three weeks, after which they were asked to rate
their levels of pain.

They found that pain intensity was significantly lower and pain relief
was higher during treatment with the cannabis extract.

Quality

The researchers, from Aarhus University Hospital, also found that
pressure-evoked pain also tended to decrease and patients reported a
better quality of life when on dronabinol.

There were some side-effects with the cannabis treatment - including
dizziness and headache - during the first week of treatment, but these
decreased as the trial went on.

The researchers said: "Dronabinol has a modest but clear and
clinically relevant analgesic effect in multiple sclerosis patients
with central pain."

They added: "Dronabinol should be available for patients whose central
pain is not sufficiently treated with alternative drugs such as
anti-convulsants, anti-depressants or opioids."

Last year a large UK study of more than 600 people concluded that
cannabis-based medicines may be of benefit to some MS sufferers.

Bu the researchers said they had found no objective proof that the
drug actually reduced muscle stiffness in the arms and legs of MS patients.

Relief

Patients taking part in the trial did report some relief from pain,
spasms and improved sleep.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society said there was evidence that those who
might benefit from the drug should be able to have treatment provided
on the NHS.

The Department of Health has said that if cannabis medicines were
scientifically demonstrated to have benefits, the Government would be
willing to amend the misuse of drugs controls to allow it to be prescribed.

But they said it would be premature to take that step before the
quality, safety and efficacy of cannabinoids had been fully
established.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is looking into the
clinical and cost-effectiveness of cannabinoid-based products for the
management of MS.