Wednesday September 18 2013 12:55 PM
MS Ireland supports legislation changes to allow Sativex in Ireland
General Practitioners (GPs) in Ireland might soon be authorised to prescribe a cannabis-based medication for the treatment of symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS).
For a number of years MS Ireland has been campaigning for access to Sativex, the cannabis-extract spray used to treat spasticity, tremors and other symptoms. The ingredients relax the tension in muscles, the spasms, which can cause mobility problems as well as high levels of disabling pain. The Irish Medicines Board had approved the product for use in the country following years of consultation and examination. Currently people in the UK, Spain, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Sweden, New Zealand and Canada are using the product.
However, before people in Ireland can be prescribed the product, there has to be a change to the Misuse of Drugs Regulation, 1988. As many of you know, MS Ireland has been highlighting the issue of access to treatments in general and Sativex has been one of those products that generated much hysteria and misunderstanding. As Emma Rogan MS Ireland Policy and Information Officer said in the Irish Times, “It’s not about people wanting to get out of their mind. It’s people wanting to live their lives with some basic dignity”.
The Department of Health had requested submissions on the change to the legislation by early September. Please read MS Ireland’s submission made to the department.
If you have any questions or queries, please contact Emma Rogan emmar@ms-society.ie
Comments
David
Sunday September 29 2013 09:44
Are you sure this is effective? Have you read the recent reports where it's shown cannabis has no effect on MS? Also was there an issue in their trials been only compared to physio rather than a drug?
David
Wednesday October 02 2013 00:24
Just wondering why my comment wasn't publish re research which says this drug not of benefit
MS Ireland
Thursday October 03 2013 08:55
Dear David,
Sorry for delay in replying to your post.
We know that there is mixed research on cannabis but published research on Sativex was strong enough for the FDA and EMA to approve the therapy.
The risks and benefits of any therapy are a consideration for anyone with MS.
We would welcome you to send us some links of papers that you are aware of.
Kind regards
MS Ireland
Helen
Wednesday October 30 2013 00:52
As with many people who suffer with MS, I suffer extremely high levels of pain, I am a single mother of two young children. I would certainly not take cannabis as an illegal drug to alleviate my pain, but as I have found nothing else to alleviate it, my G.P told me Morphine would be the next step up from all the drugs I have already tried. As a woman in my early 40's I would not be turning to Morphine for pain relief as this is an opiate which is highly addictive and used only for cancer patients. I think it is damning that this Government wont approve a drug such as Sativex when it has been in the UK and seemingly all over Europe and the US. Is it a money saving tactic or a moral tactic? If I had the option to be prescribed Sativex, I may or I may not go for it. However, the point is, surely people with MS who do suffer such extreme pain should be given that right to choose?