CANCER PATIENTS IN CANNABIS TRIAL

Clinical trials of a new range of cannabis-based medicines are to be
expanded to include patients with cancer pain, it was revealed yesterday.

The treatments are already being given to patients with multiple sclerosis
as part of a Phase Three trials programme.

GW Pharmaceuticals, the British company developing the medicines, said more
than 100 patients with terminal cancer would take part in the study at more
than 20 UK centres.

Dr Geoffrey Guy, the executive chairman of GW Pharmaceuticals, said:
"Cannabis-based medicine has the potential to provide considerable
advantages over current medications to cancer patients. Around 40 per cent
of cancer sufferers at present have unmet needs in pain suppression."