CANNABIS-BASED MEDICINE STUDIED

THE Government's Clinical Watchdog Is To Study The Medical Use Of Cannabis.

The move could see the drug prescribed as a painkiller on the NHS within two
years. Health Minister Lord Hunt says that the use of cannabis derivatives
to relieve pain in multiple sclerosis sufferers and post-operative patients
is being referred to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice).

"If these pharmaceuticals are licensed for medical use, it is of critical
importance that Nice guidance is in place for the clinicians who will have
to make decisions about their use," he said.

Trials funded by the Medical Research Council - with the backing of the
Department of Health and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society - are already
under way to assess the use of cannabinoids in providing pain relief.

The results are expected by the end of the year and will be used by Nice in
carrying out its appraisal of the drugs. A decision on whether any of the
cannabis derivatives being tested will be licensed for official medical use
is thought "likely" some time in 2004 or 2005.

If the drugs do receive a licence the DoH says that the NHS will need
"timely and clear guidance" from NICE on the clinical and cost effectiveness
of the treatments.