Human trials for 16 marijuana-based medicines likely in July

[webfact]

Human trials for 16 marijuana-based medicines likely in July

By The Nation

 

 

THE THAI Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department (TTAMD) is planning to try 16 cannabis-based medicines on selected subjects in a research project starting in July.
 

“Participants will get the medicines for free,” Dr Khwanchai Visithanon said recently in his capacity as director of the TTAMD Thai Traditional Medicine Institute. 

 

He expects 1,000 people who have sought treatment based on Thai traditional wisdom to sample each medicine. 

 

Thailand recently legalised medical marijuana, paving the way for qualified organisations and individuals to grow cannabis, conduct research and facilitate the use of cannabis for medical purposes. 

 

The TTAMD will ask the Narcotics Control Committee to approve 16 formulations of traditional medicines that contain cannabis.

 

“We have more than 90 formulations with marijuana as an ingredient,” Khwanchai said, “but we’re going to first focus on 16 that can be used to help people with several afflictions, including cancer and paralysis.” 

 

The TTAMD has already started cultivating cannabis to speed up production of medicine, he said.

 

“We plan to grow the hang krarok variety on two properties in Sakon Nakhon covering about 1,400 rai [224 hectares],” Khwanchai said.

 

He said Kasetsart University’s Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon campus and the Rajamangala University of Technology Isaan would help the TTAMD with the farming. 

 

“It will be organic farming and fully comply with laws and with regulations issued by the Food and Drug Administration,” he said, adding that cultivation should begin next month. 

 

Sakon Nakhon-based Arjaro Hospital has been contracted to make the medicines because it meets World Health Organisation standards for manufacturing practices. 

 

“We should get the first lot of medicines by July,” Khwanchai said. Participants will be given the medicine for free, but once commercial distribution begins, prices will apply. 

 

“But I can assure you they will not be expensive,” he said.

 

Khwanchai said the TTAMD was also considering growing the kaeng krachan variety of cannabis in Phetchaburi province. “We will contact educational institutes there about possible collaboration.”

 

The TTAMD planned to only grow Thai varieties of cannabis because that’s what traditional medicine uses, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30365538

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-11

 

 

 

[Emdog]

I imagine many farangs would like to give back to Thailand and volunteer to be part of the study.

Stumbling block possibility: might be considered work and work permit required...

[Damrongsak]

“We have more than 90 formulations with marijuana as an ingredient,” Khwanchai said, “but we’re going to first focus on 16 that can be used to help people with several afflictions, including cancer and paralysis.” 

 

40-some years ago, I tried a formulation at a restaurant in Loei that was designed to cure hunger.  The young cook at my regular restaurant made my mixed fried vegetables with some ganja in it.  It didn't work.  I left hungry. 

[Vacuum]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He expects 1,000 people who have sought treatment based on Thai traditional wisdom to sample each medicine.

I think I'll pass.

[ChipButty]

Would you like a Happy Pizza? make it as Happy as you want

[I wonder]

Human trials eh.......hardly surprising then that there are spaced out dogs lying all over the roads ????

[Bill Miller]

I would seriously like to try some, for multiple pains and some residual paralysis from my stroke.
Anybody know about the application process?
It could be a tremendous revenue source for the Kingdom, but I think the studies should include non-Thai patients if that is in the plan.????

[Nyezhov]

In five years or so weed is going to make folks in Thailand rich.

[connda]

I've yet to see a complete list of medical conditions that will be eligible to use cannabis-based medicines for treatment.

[Hank Gunn]

56 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

In five years or so weed is going to make folks in Thailand rich.

Unfortunately, as is typical in Thailand, the majority of those benefits will be reserved for a select few who are already rich. I will admit though, that there is a possibility that some farmers may benefit somewhat, but hardly on the scale apportioned for the “connected”.

[Hank Gunn]

Does anyone know if you can bring a prescription/medical card from another country and apply for a cannabis prescription here?

[KarlS]

9 minutes ago, Hank Gunn said:

Does anyone know if you can bring a prescription/medical card from another country and apply for a cannabis prescription here?

Highly unlikely - other countries medical cards/prescriptions are not recognised.  A doctors letter might be accepted if it provided full clinical detail, the doctor's qualification(s) and her/his registration/license number. 

[Hank Gunn]

1 minute ago, KarlS said:

Highly unlikely - other countries medical cards/prescriptions are not recognised.  A doctors letter might be accepted if it provided full clinical detail, the doctor's qualification(s) and her/his registration/license number. 

Thanks Karl. That might not be a problem since prescriptions where I am originally from come from “real” registered/licensed MDs after a consultation. 

So if I attempt this route I would ask for a letter and additional documentation.

[KarlS]

1 minute ago, Hank Gunn said:

Thanks Karl. That might not be a problem since prescriptions where I am originally from come from “real” registered/licensed MDs after a consultation. 

So if I attempt this route I would ask for a letter and additional documentation.

You should also wait until the 'weed' is legally prescribable in Thailand because it is highly unlikely that you would be admitted to the proposed trial(s) 

[Hank Gunn]

7 hours ago, KarlS said:

You should also wait until the 'weed' is legally prescribable in Thailand because it is highly unlikely that you would be admitted to the proposed trial(s) 

Yeah, for sure. I just thought I'd maybe get prepared for if/when it's moved out of the trial phase. I'm heading back to the home country this summer and just might look to get a prescription done there, with supporting docs if possible.

 

Thanks again for the info/advice.

[KarlS]

1 minute ago, Hank Gunn said:

Yeah, for sure. I just thought I'd maybe get prepared for if/when it's moved out of the trial phase. I'm heading back to the home country this summer and just might look to get a prescription done there, with supporting docs if possible.

 

Thanks again for the info/advice.

Be aware that is illegal to import any form of cannabis into Thailand - This is not likely to change even if it becomes prescribable. 

[Hank Gunn]

1 minute ago, KarlS said:

Be aware that is illegal to import any form of cannabis into Thailand - This is not likely to change even if it becomes prescribable. 

Oh Roger effin' that. There's no way in Hell I'd try to bring anything like that in. That's a risk way beyond for me. No, I'd only get the prescription and attendant paperwork setup, then if it's possible to apply for medicinal cannabis here, sometime in the future, I wouldn't have to make a special trip.

 

Just something I've thought of doing, since it appears that medical cannabis may become a reality in Thailand within the next yr. or so.

[KarlS]

7 minutes ago, Hank Gunn said:

Oh Roger effin' that. There's no way in Hell I'd try to bring anything like that in. That's a risk way beyond for me. No, I'd only get the prescription and attendant paperwork setup, then if it's possible to apply for medicinal cannabis here, sometime in the future, I wouldn't have to make a special trip.

 

Just something I've thought of doing, since it appears that medical cannabis may become a reality in Thailand within the next yr. or so.

An 'old' prescription/paperwork would likely not be accepted and as I have previously indicated foreign prescriptions are never valid/accepted in Thailand.

[Hank Gunn]

3 minutes ago, KarlS said:

An 'old' prescription/paperwork would likely not be accepted and as I have previously indicated foreign prescriptions are never valid/accepted in Thailand.

Well yeah, I got that. I'd assumed it would be helpful in seeking treatment/prescription here, to show a Thai doctor; just as I did for another pre-existing condition for which I'm currently receiving treatment (treatment that includes a prescription for different medicines).

I'm already going back home to visit for a couple of weeks. If I spend a half-day to get a prescription and paperwork for a pre-existing condition, then what's it going to hurt?

[doggie1955]

8 hours ago, KarlS said:

Highly unlikely - other countries medical cards/prescriptions are not recognised.  A doctors letter might be accepted if it provided full clinical detail, the doctor's qualification(s) and her/his registration/license number. 

Yes, they are working on it. So far it looks like you can even bring it in the country from LAX to Thailand... But if you land in Japan before you get to Thailand, know you have a big problem. 

[doggie1955]

5 minutes ago, doggie1955 said:

Yes, they are working on it. So far it looks like you can even bring it in the country from LAX to Thailand... But if you land in Japan before you get to Thailand, know you have a big problem. 

Yes, they are working on it. So far it looks like you can even bring it in the country from LAX to Thailand... But if you land in Japan before you get to Thailand, know you have a big problem. 

[Justgrazing]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Human trials 

Trialling for years using traditional introduction method ..