Sativex
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Sativex, the first marijuana derivative to be sold in the market
Sativex is an extract of cannabis developed by the British drug company GW Pharmaceuticals.
In July 2010, the sale of Sativex was approved by the Spanish Ministry of Health. In Canada, Sativex has been on the market since 2005, in June 2010 its sale was authorised in the UK, and it's now available in most European countries. GW Pharmaceuticals distributes Sativex in 23 countries, including 17 countries in Europe. It is approved in the UK, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Israel, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Italy and Finland. The pharmaceutical company announced a few months ago that Sativex would be also sold in other 8 European countries, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Kuwait.
Sativex is the first marijuana-derived drug that has been approved by the Law and paves the way for other medical cannabis-based drugs.
Use of Sativex
Sativex is used as a complementary drug for the treatment of spasticity (uncontrollable stiffness, muscle tension and spasms) in patients with multiple sclerosis, also acting against neuropathic pain. Then, according to a statement by the FAC in relation to the approval of Sativex, why is it approved only for patients with multiple sclerosis? What about cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or those who suffer from neuropathic pain or anorexia-cachexia syndrome? All of them would be delighted if they could get hold of Sativex to alleviate their pain. We hope that logic prevails and Sativex can be used for other purposes in the future.
Sativex is a mouth spray applied under the tongue with a nozzle. Doses vary from 8 to 12 daily sprays.
GW Pharmaceuticals
GW Pharmaceuticals submitted the drug for approval in 2003, but the UK agency responsible for the standards of safety, quality and performance (Medicine Control Agency) didn't approve it until June 2010!
To launch Sativex on the market, GW Pharmaceuticals has partnered with three major pharmaceutical companies: Otsuka, Almirall and Bayer. The latter acquired the rights to sell Sativex in the UK and Canada in 2003.
In the UK, Sativex is now funded by the National Health Service (NHS) in Wales for people with multiple sclerosis, as it has been approved by the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG). However, it is not recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) in England. This means that, while the drug is available in Wales, patients in England have no access to it. (source: The Telegraph).
Also in the UK, a trial of Sativex for cancer related pain is underway. According to Cancer Research UK, advanced cancer pains can't be controlled with other strong painkillers, so this is why researchers are looking for new ways to help patients, as cannabis-based drugs can be of help.
