Ireland to Allow Some Cannabis-Based Medicines to Treat MS
DUBLIN — Patients suffering from multiple sclerosis could soon be allowed to use some cannabis-based medicines to relieve some of their symptoms.
The Ireland Department of Health will introduce regulations in the coming weeks to allow for cannabis-based medical products, such as GW Pharmaceuticals‘ cannabis-based spray Sativex, to be prescribed by doctors and distributed through pharmacies.
Sativex is already in use for the relief of spasm symptoms by multiple sclerosis, or MS, patients in a several European countries, including the United Kingdom.
“This will be a prescription product, so MS sufferers will have the prescription written by their [physician] and then dispensed by the pharmacist,” Pat O’Mahony, chief executive of Ireland’s Health Products Regulatory Authority, said on the radio program Today with Sean O’Rourke.
Patient advocates from the country’s leading multiple sclerosis support organization, MS Ireland, praised the decision.
“Ongoing research into the benefits of medicinal cannabis and cannabis-based medication extract for the symptoms of MS has shown the efficacy of such treatments to alleviate spasticity, sleep disorders, pain and other symptoms associated with MS,” says MS Ireland director Ava Battles, who has been working to allow for the use of cannabis-based medicines.
“MS Ireland believes people with MS should have access to all and any appropriate and licensed treatments that would improve or assist in the management of their condition,” she added.
Although Sativex and similar products are derived from cannabis, the use of whole-plant cannabis matter will remain prohibited.
cannabis-based medicines , GW Pharmaceuticals , ireland , medical marijuana , Mississippi , MS Ireland , multiple sclerosis , Sativex
Ireland to Allow Some Cannabis-Based Medicines to Treat MS
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