Several media reports today (Friday 15 January 2010) indicate that doctors at the Royal Melbourne Hospital are aiming to test the drug Sativex for treatment of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). For your information the following is a statement from MS Australia ACT/NSW/VIC regarding the drug: Sativex is a pharmaceutical medication derived from cannabis.
MS Queensland welcomes research into any new therapies which may help people living with MS manage the symptoms of the disease.
However while the drug has been approved in other countries it is yet to go through the essential TGA testing and approval process in Australia.
We are looking forward to the results of this rigorous testing to determine whether this drug will be effective in helping people living with this disease.
It must be noted that this form of treatment is only symptomatic and will not slow or affect the course of MS. At best it will improve the quality of life for those with appropriate symptoms such as painful stiffness of muscles etc and will not replace but only supplement physical and other existing therapies
People living with MS who require further information about this subject should contact MS Infoline on 1800 177 591 for more information.
For all media enquiries please contact Dan Sweetman 0404 935 799 or (07) 3840 0864
