Sativex approved for use in UK

[Payaso]

This story is about medical cannabis use, but perhaps should be in the business section. Why? Because the drug companies are salivating over the profits they will make from Sativex, and don't seem to give a damn about the patient. Why shouldn't sufferers be allowed to use nature's remedy?

And what's this line about them being a "small drugmaker." GW Pharmaceuticals is HUGE.

GW Pharmaceuticals Plc's (GWP.L) cannabis-derived medicine Sativex has been approved in Britain for treating spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis, in a landmark decision for the small drugmaker.

The much-delayed product was finally granted a British licence on Thursday, an official from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) told Reuters on Friday.

The company later issued a statement confirming the move.

Clinical trials have shown GW's Sativex, which is sprayed under the tongue, reduces spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) in patients who do not respond adequately to existing therapies.

It became the world's first cannabis medicine to win regulatory clearance when it was approved in Canada in 2005 for neuropathic pain but its roll-out in Britain -- and other European markets thereafter -- is a larger sales opportunity.

GW and Germany's Bayer (BAYGn.DE), which will market the drug in Britain, plan to hold a press conference on Sativex on June 21.

A green light from the MHRA had been expected before the end of June but confirmation of approval will still be a relief to investors, who have seen a series of delays with the product.

Shares in the company jumped 11 percent to a four-year high of 143 pence on the news by 1400 GMT.

GW had originally hoped to win approval in 2003 for its drug -- which is extracted from marijuana plants grown at secret locations in the English countryside -- but the medicine has been hit by a string of regulatory delays in Europe.

GW said last month it also expected a regulatory green light in Spain shortly after the British approval, with other European countries following later.

Sativex will be sold in the rest of Europe outside Britain by Spanish drugmaker Almirall (ALM.MC).

GW will receive a 10 million pounds ($15 million) milestone payment from Bayer as a result of British approval, while a further 2.5 million pounds is payable by Almirall following both regulatory and pricing approval in Spain.

WILL NHS PAY FOR IT?

Questions remain about Sativex's commercial potential.

In particular, the rate of uptake in Britain will likely be limited until the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) decides whether it should be reimbursed on the National Health Service (NHS).

Analysts at Piper Jaffray, which acts as adviser to GW, forecast that peak sales in MS spasticity could reach 121 million pounds in Europe and Canada combined.

The drug could also be used longer-term to help treat cancer pain worldwide, opening up a market opportunity potentially worth over $500 million in annual sales, according to the brokerage. However, marketing approval for this second use is not expected before 2013.

Shawn Manning, an analyst at Singer Capital Markets, said a green light for cancer pain in the United States would be a major commercial breakthrough.

"That's a real opportunity, that will be the big market -- that's the real target for this product," he said. ($1 = 0.6743 pound) (Additional reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by David Cowell)

 

[CANNATOPIA]

Nice post Payaso!

 

[jjblunt]

I cannot decide if this is good news or bad news.

What pisses me off it these companies are basically selling cannabis, just in another form, more like a tincture. So what is the difference between GW pharma and a street dealer? NOTHING!

Just shows us yet again, big pharma knows the benefits of cannabis as medicine, and are now exploiting it for massive profit, all while keeping it illegal for the consumer to grow/possess themselves. How come they are not being arrested for cultivation, processing, intent to sell? I guess big pharma is above the law.

 

[smokeymacpot]

jjblunt, they have a licence from the home office to produce it for medical research blah blah
its a good thing that is being recognised as having medicinal benefit, it may or may not pave the way for eventual licencing for medicinal canabis. no one knows. but at least with that fat twat gordon brown no longer PM, theres a better chance it will happen.

 

[Hrpuffnkush]

=)

=)

Congrats!! Sam and Robert !

 

[PoopyTeaBags]

it makes me sick that they will allow cannabis extracts as medicines and call it medicine but cannabis has no medical value...

im scared to have them recreate a cannabis drug... then cannabis WILL DEFINITELY be ILLEGAL forever

 

[ChynaRyder]

this is truly disturbing. Poopy Tea Bags is right, once big pharma starts feeling the dollars rolling in from canna 'medicines', the prohibition will increase...they have been at it now since the 30's, you dont think that when they are just getting their prize, their gonna let up on us? No way they will ever allow us to cultivate our meds in our flower gardens, and eliminate their profits.

Fuck em all

 

[LolaGal]

Sativex and Marinol have been approved for use n the USA for ages. Doctors won't prescribe them much though.

 

[MJBadger]

What pisses me off it these companies are basically selling cannabis, just in another form, more like a tincture. So what is the difference between GW pharma and a street dealer? NOTHING!


Yes but it`s been happening for many years in the States , how many people out there with there medical cards pay a fortune for their cannabis meds from the dispenceries ? & how many recieve good grade meds ?
Again it`s the big companies rubbing their hands over the $ sign.

 

[Scrogerman]

Sativex has been being issued to certain patience in the UK for at least a year that i know of, good thread! lets hope one day they stop all the bullshit n let the masses use it medically for minor ailments like in the US. Untill then we'll all have to stay legal piss heads & fuck our livers up, legally! lol!

 

[shaunmulok]

Thanks Payaso great article, lets hope it opens new doors for us non-medical countries as i know the Australian Medical board has applied to the ethics committee to start some trials and lets hope now they will get the go ahead

 

[TheBudFather]

Sativex is absolutely crap!!!!!!
1 of my best palls has had M.S for 5 years now, he's wheelchair bound.
He can have as much Sativex as he wants/needs from the Dr.... His fridge has about 10 bottles of it inside at all times.... I have tried and tried n tried to get a buzz from it, but nothing.
I have sprayed tens of sprays at a time, under my tongue....to no effect at all.
M.S sufferers are getting almost no comfort from this treatment, its ridiculous.... But a joint blows his muscles & spasms into a lovely fluffy comfortable cloud! No comparison whatsoever.

My pall says, Sativex is only good for 1 thing, if you wake up in the middle of the night, it can help you get back to sleep... Thats it!

Somebody sent me a txt msg this morning saying M.S sufferers in the UK will be able to get Cannabis prescribed from there Dr's..... I hope there's some truth in this.... Im about to do some research as I've only just got in from work :O) fingers crossed!!!

 

[TheBudFather]

Ok... It was the Sativex thing that happend today... I knew it was to good to be true... :O(

 

[MJBadger]

I have tried and tried n tried to get a buzz from it, but nothing.

Thats what Sativex was made for , IT DOES NOT MAKE YOU HIGH the idea being that a certain ingredient extracted from the Canna helps control the muscle spasms by MS sufferers without the stone .

And yes it`s official today in the UK although they have not mentioned Sativex once , only that MS sufferers will be able to obtain cannabis from their Dr grown in a top secret controlled grow site . They showed the cannabis farm & it`s nigh on the size of a football field . Looks like a large warehouse full of bud .(made me drool)

Stay green .

 

[englishrick]

man,,,it was 30p a share not so long ago,,,,guess whos a happy bunny,,,,,me,,,,,i was gona sell the lot but insted i just bought eveything from my mates,,,,i told them to stick with it,,,,its much more fun chakin on my shares now,,,thanks Dr Guy

 

[Scrogerman]

Sativex is absolutely crap!!!!!!
1 of my best palls has had M.S for 5 years now, he's wheelchair bound.
He can have as much Sativex as he wants/needs from the Dr.... His fridge has about 10 bottles of it inside at all times.... I have tried and tried n tried to get a buzz from it, but nothing.
I have sprayed tens of sprays at a time, under my tongue....to no effect at all.
M.S sufferers are getting almost no comfort from this treatment, its ridiculous.... But a joint blows his muscles & spasms into a lovely fluffy comfortable cloud! No comparison whatsoever.

My pall says, Sativex is only good for 1 thing, if you wake up in the middle of the night, it can help you get back to sleep... Thats it!

Somebody sent me a txt msg this morning saying M.S sufferers in the UK will be able to get Cannabis prescribed from there Dr's..... I hope there's some truth in this.... Im about to do some research as I've only just got in from work :O) fingers crossed!!!

Do you think its a Big Coverup and really its Advanced Nutrients making this snake oil bollocks lol!

 

[cannaboy]

I'm gonna see a Doc and get my pain in the ass sorted.. and for my knees,

 

[Power Tech]

I thought the UK and Europe was more progressive.

I love Nigel Farage, he kicks ass!

I am in Ca US and was visited by a Neo-con from the power co. yesterday. We will see how much freedom I have.

Just finished my signs with my prescription I will put in the garden.

I am new but, is Tang as good as Orang Juice? I used to think so.

Not no more. Nature knows so much more and eating Oranges is different than even frozen Orange Juice.

Oh, I hate war and my country dropping bombs,,, unless it is food or Frisbee bombs.

Big Pharma = Fascism

Peace to my brothers across the Atlantic.

 

[lowrydergrower]

Wow pretty cool I wonder how well it works.

 

[DocLeaf]

Sativex would be great if it wasn't so expensive !!

All it is , is plant oils and some alcohol in a spray bottle! It should be as cheap as mouth freshener to make!!!

peace dLeaf