Netherlands: the high cost of medical cannabis to avoided violation

Marketing, extracts of cannabis for medical purposes in the Netherlands did not cause a run on the product and therefore does not seem to have fueled consumption, says PHARMO Institute in a market study for Dutch Ministry of Health.

The price is indeed!

This reassuring finding is relatively simple explanation, note Annemarie Janse and his three colleagues PHARMO Institute in their report: officinal cannabis available on prescription costs between 30% and 50% more expensive than the one proposed in the coffeeshops.

These two products, manufactured under the control of the Office of cannabis, which depends on the Dutch Ministry of Health, back - for a pot of five grams of cannabis to 35.69 euros for one and 41.25 euros for other.

Since the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis has not been established unequivocally, the sickness funds in the Netherlands are not required to repay these two products. Most do, however, under additional insurance in the form of an annual fee.

During the period between the start of medical cannabis and January 31, 2003 period, the authors were able to address 200 people who bought in 482 pharmacies.

This sample of persons representing approximately 2% of the total number of cannabis for medical reasons in the Netherlands, estimated at about 10,000 patients.

Chronic pain, cramps and fatigue head requirements

Among the users surveyed, the average age was between 50 and 59 years, had no less than 30 years and had one-tenth less than 40 years. Two thirds (67%) were women. More than eight out of ten patients (86%) reported never having used cannabis before being faced with medical problems that led to consume.

Nearly two-thirds (60%) had, however, already used for medical purposes. Half (52%) of them obtained from pharmacists, and others in coffee shops (35%) or with associations of patients (14%).

Prescribing cannabis notified in the study resulted from a request from the patient himself in two thirds of cases (66%), or a suggestion of doctor in a quarter of cases (25%) or the neurologist a fifth cases (20%).

Among the most frequently mentioned indications of orders were chronic pain (72%), cramps (53%), fatigue (30%), balance problems and insomnia (20.5% in each case).

Most patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (42%), rheumatoid arthritis (11%), vertebral lesions (9.5%), cancer (8%), cardiovascular disease (5%) or pneumological ( 4.5%).

About a third of respondents consume less a pot of five grams of dried leaves per week, another two thirds and the remaining more than two thirds. Medical cannabis is usually taken as a tea (73% of cases), and one to two times per day (55%), but also in the form of cigarettes (20%) or inhaled (6.5%).

Reduction of co-medication in 40% of cases

Almost all patients (90%) were already receiving treatment before taking cannabis: an analgesic (37% of cases), neuroleptics (35%) or an anti-inflammatory (27%).

The previous medication was reduced to 40% of respondents, while it remained unchanged for nearly half (49%) and was increased in 1% of cases.

The side effects were described as "minor" or "zero" by 90% of respondents. The main adverse events reported are slow (43% of responses), the dry mouth (38%), dizziness (34%) and muscle weakness (32%).

Overall, 28% of patients said they were "very satisfied", 37% "satisfied", 27% "somewhat satisfied" and 9% "not at all satisfied."