Medical charity supports cannabis-based pain treatment

Chronic pain support charity Action on Pain has supported the potential benefits that cannabis-based medication can have in treating the condition.

Ian Semmons, chairman of Action on Pain, stated that the UK is continuing to "stutter towards" acceptance of the drug in pain management applications, while adding that the method has merit when controlled properly.

This comes after GW Pharmaceuticals recently introduced the oromucosal spray Sativex in the UK, marking the world's first prescription cannabis-based medicine.

The drug, which is being marketed in the UK by Bayer Schering Pharma, is designed for the treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.

Mr Semmons acknowledged the risk of adverse events arising from medicinal use of cannabis, but stated that this can be potentially worked around via the administration method of the medication.

He added: "Our view as a charity is that we would support further research in it and further trials."