Pubdate: Mon, 09 Dec 2013 Source: Press and Journal, The (UK) Copyright: 2013 Aberdeen Journals Ltd Contact: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/347 CANCER PATIENTS IN CANNABIS TRIALS Illegal drugs ketamine and cannabis are being supplied to cancer patients in Scotland by the NHS. Academics at Edinburgh University are leading two clinical trials at the Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow to test the effectiveness of cannabis mouth spray and ketamine, a common tranquilliser for use in horses. Research shows that pain is uncontrolled in around 20% of patients with advanced cancer who are prescribed morphine-based treatments, and many others experience negative side-effects from traditional painkillers. But no effective alternatives have been approved for cancer patients on the NHS. It is hoped cancer sufferers taking part in the trials will see major improvements in their quality of life, leading to a national roll-out of the drugs. A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirmed that two clinical trials were studying the use of "cannabinoids and ketamine for pain relief in cancer patients". The trials are for six months. The cannabis spray, Sativex, is already being prescribed for multiple sclerosis patients. The medication stops nerve signals being sent to the brain from the site of pain and was developed so it did not affect the mental state of patients in the way that street cannabis might. It also does not pose the same health risks as smoking the drug. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom