The drug Sativex, based on cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, is now available to multiple sclerosis patients in the United Kingdom.

Back in June, Sativex went on sale in Canada.

Sativex has been shown to reduce nerve pain and sleep disturbance in multiple sclerosis patients, according to a study published in the journal Neurology.

Under the new arrangements, the prescription of Sativex would only be permitted under Home Office licence.

A doctor would have to take responsibility for the prescription of the unlicensed drug, which would have to be imported from Canada for that particular patient.

Primary care trusts could decide to fund the treatment on the NHS. Otherwise, the drug would cost patients approximately £4 a day. — BBC News

The manufacturer, GW Pharmaceuticals, is still seeking to have the drug licensed in the UK. It already has a license to grow marijuana for medical research.

But Podz points out that the arrangements aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.