People with multiple sclerosis use different forms of treatment and strategies to mange their life with multiple sclerosis. Cannabis has anecdotally been used to treat chronic symptoms such as muscle stiffness, spasms, pain and insomnia as well as bladder problems that are not responding to typical treatment.
Research conducted with 279 people with MS in the UK showed interesting and positive results. People with MS were given either a randomly assigned cannabis extract (tetrahydrocannabinol- THC) or a placebo for a period of 12 weeks (144 to 135). After 12 weeks, the relief from muscle stiffness for those people taking the cannabis extract was “almost twice as high than with placebo (29.4% vs 15.7%)” .
Many of the cannabinoids, a group of chemicals found in cannabis (as well as other substances such as breast milk), activate specific cannabinoid receptors in cells throughout the human body. This interaction produces different pharmacologic effects, particularly in the central nervous system and the immune system, easing aspects of spasticity and improving walking ability.
The Irish Situation
Last year The Department of Health was informed by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) that a market authorisation request was made by a manufacturer under the EU Mutual Recognition Procedure for a medicinal product containing Cannabis extract.
The Department of Health is currently examining how authorised cannabis-based medicinal products for people with Multiple Sclerosis may be legally prescribed by medical practitioners and used by patients for the treatment of MS in Ireland.
“In that respect, Department officials have been engaging with experts to identify how best to legally describe authorised cannabis-based medicinal products while maintaining existing controls on cannabis and cannabis substances. While the legislative amendments required can be made by means of statutory instrument, the legal issues are complex. The matter is being progressed as quickly as possible in the Department and it is hoped to bring forward legislative proposals in mid-2013.”
For people with MS who currently use cannabis to treat their spasms, clarity before the law is vital. Treatments such as medical cannabis/Sativex, has the potential to greatly improve people’s quality of life and we await the legislative proposals later in the year.
MS Ireland would like readers to note the following:
“Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products are unlawful except for the purposes of research.”
References:
- Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 2012
Multiple Sclerosis and Extract of Cannabis: results of the MUSEC trial
- Information received from DOH on 12th March 2013
Further reading:
- Sativex Information Sheet
- MS Ireland’s Submission to the Department of Health regarding Sativex