French experiment on the use of pharmacological preparations based on the therapeutic properties of cannabis

Under ideal experimental conditions, about 22% of patients refuse to use hemp-based pharmacological preparations due to the negative influence of various kinds of side effects on their body.

The editors of the specialized electronic edition of national cannabis growers described the fact that “ The trend of using cannabis for therapeutic purposes has reached France ” back in mid-2018. The approach of the French authorities to the possibility of using cannabis for medical purposes is positive: solely on the basis of in-depth analysis and acceptable results of the pilot project, taking into account the created database on the effectiveness of the use of the corresponding pharmacological agents, in terms of patient health safety and prevention of possible pathways into illicit turnover of psychoactive raw materials legislative mechanisms for the cultivation, processing and use of this plant for medicinal purposes will be developed . Just like in other civilized countries “The French are approaching amending legislation on various aspects of modern cannabis production ” through “ Pilot Projects on the Use of Therapeutic Properties of Cannabis ”. That is why information about the French experiment on the use of pharmacological preparations based on the therapeutic properties of hemp is closely monitored by specialists in our country so that we do not repeat the mistakes of our colleagues in the EU during similar national experiments.

Seven months after the "debut" in the media of the beginning of a medical experiment aimed at studying the therapeutic properties of cannabis by French patients, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (L'Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé , ANSM) announced that it was enrolling 1,000 out of 3,000 planned patients. In addition, officials focused on the fact that the state has facilitated the conditions for the inclusion of patients in the list of participants and on the progress of training medical specialists planned to attract to the experiment.

48 general practitioners are currently trained in the mechanisms of using pharmaceuticals based on the therapeutic properties of cannabis in France and 212 pharmacists are ready to dispense the corresponding drugs. A total of 1,035 health professionals working in 243 structures are currently eligible to take part in the experiment.

“We are in a flexible experiment, the terms of participation in which are continually reviewed to meet the needs of patients and healthcare professionals as closely as possible, in consultation with them and based on their feedback from the field,” explained Natalie Richard, director of the medical cannabis project at ANSM. As noted by ANSM officials, to date, just over 22% of patients withdrew from the experiment "mainly due to side effects or ineffectiveness of the drugs used."

Based on the results of the experiment, government officials will make a decision to extend it or amend the current regulatory framework, according to which it will be possible to use the therapeutic properties of the hemp plant in the form of pharmacological preparations on the territory of the country.

Commentary of the specialists of the Association "Ukrainian technical hemp"

Once again, we focus on the fact that in civilized countries the decision to amend the regulatory framework is made not on emotions (as they are trying to do in our country), but on real facts obtained in the course of experiments, pilot projects or research programs on this topic, aimed at a comprehensive study of all aspects of activities related to the use of hemp pharmacological preparations. 

In addition, I would like to emphasize that under ideal experimental conditions, about 22% of patients refuse to use hemp-based pharmacological preparations due to the negative impact of various side effects on their body. We have already pointed out that in Germany, where pharmacological preparations based on the therapeutic properties of hemp are free for German patients (the cost is paid from the state budget), about 40% of patients refuse to use them due to the prevalence of side effects over their beneficial therapeutic effect on the human body.

by introducing food products with significant therapeutic potential (nutraceuticals) to the market.