The NHS has been criticised by doctors for denying multiple sclerosis patients access to a drug derived from cannabis which regulators have approved to help relieve their symptoms.

MS specialists claim primary care trusts (PCTs) in England are exacerbating patients' pain and suffering by refusing to let them use Sativex. Some PCTs say the drug, which costs £11 a day, is not worth the money, but doctors insist it is the only medication that ...

Almirall, S.A. and GW Pharmaceuticals plc today announce that the health authorities in Germany have granted regulatory approval for Sativex®(Delta-9-Tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD)) oromucosal spray as an add-on therapy for the treatment of moderate to severe spasticity due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in patients who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medication(i). Sativex® is expected to be launched in Germany in July 2011.

Sativex® is a first in class endocannabinoid system modulator ...

Patients with Multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory disease that affects the nervous system, might not be prescribed the drug Sativex as distribution has been halted in Scotland due to budget cuts and the awaited approval by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).

The cannabis-based drug is orally administered by spraying it under the tongue of the patient and promises pain relief where other types of medications have failed.

However, Sativex is an expensive drug to ...

GW Pharmaceuticals plc today announces that Sativex® oromucosal spray has been approved in the Czech Republic as a treatment for spasticity due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

This approval follows GW's announcement on 22nd March 2011 that the European Mutual Recognition Procedure had successfully completed with all six countries involved recommending approval. The countries involved in the MRP were Germany, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Austria and the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is the first of ...

U.K. drug maker GW Pharmaceuticals PLC said it has signed a license deal with Novartis AG to commercialize its cannabis-based multiple sclerosis treatment Sativex in a range of markets including Australia, parts of Asia and Africa.

Under the agreement, GW will get an upfront payment of $5 million and receive a further $28.75 million dependent on certain approvals and commercial milestones.

Novartis will have exclusive rights to sell Sativex in Australia; New Zealand; Asia, ...

GW Pharmaceuticals Plc's pioneering cannabis drug Sativex has been recommended for approval in the six other European countries targeted by the British company and Spanish partner Almirall.

National approvals are now expected in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy and Sweden from mid-2011 onwards, with launches in Denmark, Germany and Sweden likely before the end of 2011, GW said on Tuesday.

The medicine was expected to go on sale in the remaining countries in ...

Almirall, S.A. announces that Sativex® is now available to health professionals and patients in the Spanish hospital pharmacies. It is the first specific treatment for spasticity in MS patients who have not responded adequately to other treatments. Sativex® is administered as oromucosal spray enabling flexible dosage, which is particularly appropriate given the variable nature ofspasticity and MS itself.

Evidence from clinical trials shows that Sativex® has a positive impact on spasticity, sleep quality and ...

What's the story with this? I'm seeing that it was developed for ms, but there're only trials in the US for using it to treat cancer pain.

I am writing an article about Sativex for a new US publication, launching in December. If you have experience with Sativex in Canada, please comment here or contact me at: marikane@marikane.com

Thanks very much.
Mari Kane

GW Pharmaceuticals' pioneering cannabis drug is getting a mixed reception four months into its launch across Britain, its first European market.
A survey of primary care trusts today found several that were not recommending Savitex to multiple sclerosis patients, with many viewing it as “low priority”.... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1814