 | Press Releases: Cannabis extract approved for New Zealand patients |
 The New Zealand Government has approved applications by three patients to use Sativex, a pain-relieving mouth spray made from cannabis.
Sativex is made from cannabis plants grown in the UK under Home Office license, and is approved in Canada and Spain for neuropathic pain relating to MS, and is also available in the UK on a case-by-case basis.
"All previous applications by patients to use medicinal cannabis or extracts have been rejected, so this is a significant step foward," said NORML spokesperson Chris Fowlie. "But Sativex won't work for all patients so it's important that other options are available including other cannabis-based medicines and the right for patients to be able to grow their own."
The DominionPost newspaper reported on Saturday 4 October 2008 that the Government's medicine regulatory body Medsafe is now considering an application by the manufacturer of Sativex, GW Pharmaceuticals, to be able to market the product here.
That would mean that patients would be able to get it on prescription from their doctor, rather than having to apply to the Minister of Health for special dispensation, as is now the case.
Cannabis is a class C drug and cannabis preparations are class B drugs, but the Medicines Act allows it to be used with ministerial approval.
The DominionPost reported that Rose Wall, the ministry's quality and safety manager, said the application to market Sativex as a medicine was still being considered. Approval to use Sativex had been granted for three patients, and a further application was pending.
Last year, the Ministry of Health prepared a briefing paper for former health minister Pete Hodgson, noting there was "sufficient evidence of
safety and efficacy of cannabis in some medical conditions" to support consideration of compassionate, controlled use.
The approval of the first three patients follows a presentation of a 6000-signature petition organised by NORML to Parliament's Health Select Committee in July, urging law reform for
medical purposes.
"Whatever you think about extracts like Sativex compared to 'real' cannabis, this is great news because allowing medical marijuana - in whatever form - shows our arguments that cannabis is an effective medicine are legitimate and accepted by authorities," said Mr Fowlie.
"It will also help break down stereotypes about who uses marijuana, will show there are positive beneficial uses for it, and if overseas experiences are anything to go by, this will lead to a decrease in teenage use as it will no longer be seen as glamorous and rebellious but as a legitimate medicine."
"Approving Sativex also makes our arguments for other alternative cannabis medicines - including patients being able to grow their own - even more compelling."
Apply now!
Download the Sativex Application Form from Medsafe (right-click and select "save as") then talk to your doctor. Bring them info and research to support your case (eg, print out this page and/or see the links below).
More info:
Sativex: GW Pharmaceuticals
Green Party bill to legalise medicinal cannabis
Green Cross Patient's Support Group
Govt to allow Sativex medicinal cannabis spray
Medical law will benefit all
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