In order to alleviate the pain associated with his multiple sclerosis, a patient claims the right to use a drug derived from cannabis. To win his case, he has not eaten for 8 days.
A few days ago, Why actor revealed that negotiations around Sativex, a cannabis-derived pain medication, had failed. Due to a disagreement on the price between the manufacturer laboratory (Almirall) and the CEPS (1), the future of this treatment in France is more uncertain than ever. A deadlock situation that penalizes patients who find a benefit in medical cannabis.
At the head of the sling, we find Laurent Puisais, suffering from progressive multiple sclerosis for twenty years, and in a wheelchair for ten years. This patient has started a hunger strike to demand the right to alleviate his pain by using Sativex, a drug spray that diffuses active molecules of cannabis, the cannabinoids. “It’s my eighth day, but this fight started a long time ago and it will be a long time yet”, he promises in Le Figaro santé.
In 2011, the man had indeed written to the prosecutor of the Republic of Poitiers to request to benefit from the product, and to legally consume cannabis for therapeutic purposes. He was refused a refusal, then began his first hunger strike in December 2012. It had lasted two weeks.
Convinced users
To justify his fight, Laurent Puisais told daily the beneficial effects he feels after taking this drug. “It’s practically instantaneous, we no longer have aches, and after a few minutes, we feel great relaxation. And we have better breathing capacity, even with just one lung. No other drug produces this effect. And it’s an excellent antidepressant, ”he says.
European Medicines Agency for Marketing
On the health authorities side, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has positioned itself for marketing Sativex. She has written in the past that it is indicated for the treatment of “moderate to severe spasticity”, which is painful, involuntary contractures in patients with multiple sclerosis that result from nerve damage caused by the disease. Thanks to this indication, the product is already marketed in 17 European countries (United Kingdom, Germany …).
In France, Marisol Touraine had authorized by a decree of June 5, 2013 that medicinal products derived from cannabis be the subject of an application for marketing authorization (AMM). The Minister of Health announced in January 2014 the MA for Sativex for people with MS.
HAS not convinced
In this favorable context for Sativex, however, resistance remains. “Taking into account the reservations expressed on the level of proof of the studies carried out and the small quantity of effect observed”, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS), for its part, considered that the drug did not improve the service. actual benefit (ASMR V, non-existent).
Due to this lack of scientific evidence, it also judged the actual benefit (SMR) by Sativex as “low”.
Brakes which obviously did not discourage this inhabitant of La Puye (Vienne). Laurent Puisais has just announced in the press that he was going to create his association, “SE Possible”, in reference to multiple sclerosis (or MS) in order to promote the use of Sativex as well as diets. suitable for patients, which help to reduce the effects of the disease.
“This fight, I’m not doing it just for myself. I do it for all the disabled. When you are alone and without strength, you only see the dark side, ”he concludes in Le Figaro Santé.
(1) Economic Committee for Health Products
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