§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what stage the trials into the medical uses of cannabis have reached; and when he expects to be able to announce the results. [7712]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Medical Research Council (MRC) is funding a clinical trial into the efficacy of cannabis extract and a single cannabinoid in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. The trial is being run by Dr. John Zajicek, of Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, and the MRC Clinical Trials Unit. The trial started recruitment in autumn 2000. It will take three to four years to complete from the point of recruitment and the results will be published subsequently in peer reviewed publications.
We are aware that a second study on the development of a medicine derived from cannabis has started. This work which is expected to last for three years and is being led by Dr. Guy of GW Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Detailed evidence about clinical trials with cannabis and its derivatives was presented to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology inquiry into the therapeutic uses of cannabis. It provides information about clinical trials with cannabis and its derivatives that are completed and published or ongoing. The date of publication of the ongoing trials is matter for the 1346W investigators and sponsors. This information is recorded in the Committee's reports 'Cannabis: the Scientific and Medical Evidence' (9th Report Session 1997–98, HL Paper 151) and 'Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis' (2nd Report Session 2000–01, HL Paper 50), copies of which are available in the Library.