3 replies to this topic

[Rachel_davis]

I heard from a consultant in England that a drug sativex was being used in some of the spinal units and is working really well.
I live in the highlands of Scotland and am having trouble getting it due to the "post code lottery" of drugs on the uk.
My consultant down in Glasgow spinal unit claims to have never heard of it.
Has anyone tried it?
Thanks

[greybeard]

Hi Rachel. First off, welcome to the forum.

Sativex - All I could find online is that Sativex is only licensed by NICE for treating MS patients. It is used more freely in other EU countries.

[Liz56]

I thought it was available in Scotland as someone I know here was talking about getting it through the GP, but when I checked, as of April 2011 it wasn't approved for Scotland, with the main reason seeming to be that an application hadn't yet been made. Does seem like they were only looking at it primarily for MS. Details as follows:

Drug Name: cannabinoid (Sativex)
SMC Drug ID: 703/11
Manufacturer: Bayer plc/Bayer Schering Pharma
Indication: as an add-on treatment for symptom improvement in patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS) who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity related symptoms during an initial trial of therapy.
BNF Category: 10. Musculoskeletal and joint diseases
Sub Category: 10.2 Drugs used in neuromuscular disorders
Submission Type: Non submission
Status: Not Recommended
Date Advice Published: 11 April 2011

info from scottishmedicines.org.uk

Edited by Liz56, 05 February 2012 - 05:49 PM.

[wiggy]

It's also in front of the USFDA for use as a pain med for cancer patients. Bet it'll be approved for MS and SCI spasms as well. Especially since it's been made by Bayer.