New UK trials to study medical cannabis and chronic pain

A new UK trial will explore the effects of medical cannabis in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain.

US cannabis producer Flora Growth is set to begin clinical trials to explore the use of cannabinoids in patients suffering from fibromyalgia or chronic pain.

Primary research sites will be located in the US and the UK, with the hopes of fast-tracking traditional FDA and NHS timelines by running phase trials in parallel.

A human pilot study will be launched in coordination with an internationally recognised clinical research group based at the University of Manchester.

In addition, parallel molecular and pharmacokinetic studies will be conducted in the US with key scientists and colleagues of Dr Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, Flora’s lead scientific advisor. 

“A paradigm shift is upon us where healthcare practitioners, researchers, patients, and adult-use consumers are starting to understand, accept, and embrace the therapeutic potential offered by phytocannabinoid-based medicine,” said Dr Manalo-Morgan.

“As such, there is an urgent need for more research to better understand the molecular and biochemical effects of cannabis at the cellular level, to begin to apply its implications as a pharmaceutical drug.”

According to an announcement earlier this month, Flora intends to work with government regulators, as well as academic institutions to initiate academic studies in order to reduce costs and develop new cannabis-based drugs.

​​It plans to “honour the traditional FDA and NHS route in scientific processes” to deliver cannabinoids for specific disease conditions, backed by data, with an initial focus on fibromyalgia, brain health, pain, and related research.

The firm’s immediate next steps are to submit data for ethics committee review, with further details expected upon approval.

Dr Manalo-Morgan added: “I’m extremely pleased that our team recognises the importance and necessity of this research, not only to create and bring to market novel pharmaceutical cannabis products for patients around the world that are more efficacious and have a superior safety profile compared to traditional and incumbent pharmaceutical treatment options, but to also enhance long-term shareholder value.”