German pharma giant launches medical cannabis for chronic pain patients

One of Germany’s largest pharmaceutical companies has launched cannabis-based medicines for chronic pain patients. 

Pharmaceutical giant, STADA is one of the largest companies in Germany to enter the medical cannabis market. 

STADAPHARM, which is responsible for the specialty business of STADA Group and has many years of experience in pain therapy, is now introducing its own product portfolio for this new form of therapy. 

Therapy with medical cannabis is primarily directed at chronic pain patients who suffer from pain or its side effects despite established medications such as opioids. 

Medical cannabis can also be used for patients with spasticity in multiple sclerosis and other neurological and oncological therapy fields.

“STADA is one of the first leading pharmaceutical manufacturers to expand its portfolio with medical cannabis in Germany,” explains STADA CEO, Peter Goldschmidt.

“In doing so, we are benefiting from our expertise in the field of specialty pharmaceuticals and are complementing this with a modern portfolio of patient-specific therapies.”

STADA’s head of Germany Eelco Ockers adds: “We are pleased to be able to offer a patient-specific therapy option for chronic pain. With this, we would like to provide physicians with further treatments and products offering STADA’s well-known quality.”

Doctors have been legally allowed to prescribe medical cannabis in Germany since 2017, with the country among the world’s fastest-growing cannabis markets.

According to a recent report by Prohibition Partners, Germany imported 9,249kg of cannabis flower in 2020, with the amount of imports growing rapidly year on year.

With this latest move STADA is strengthening its perception as a go-to partner for doctors and pharmacists in the country.

For patient-specific therapy, there will be a broad product portfolio and to support doctors in finding the right option for patients, STADAPHARM is providing product-selection and dosage aids, as well as a comprehensive range of materials and training for doctors and pharmacists.

A specially trained field force for medical cannabis is informing doctors about medical aspects as well as the practical use of medical cannabis, prescribing, applying for reimbursement by health insurance companies and individual patient treatment regimens. 

This is aimed at providing guidance and education in a relatively new market. 

STADA sells products worldwide, in approximately 120 countries, however medical cannabis products will currently only be available in Germany where the firm is headquartered.