As a means of providing immediate pain relief for cancer patients, scientists are carrying out clinical research with Rafa and Panaxia, two Israeli-based pharmaceutical companies, on delivering medical cannabis concentrate through an inhaler. The products are due for distribution in Israeli pharmacies under Rafa’s medical cannabis brand in 2019.

This new method of delivery will increase accessibility for cancer patients who are treated with long-term pharmaceutical cannabis (such as sublingual tablets), and those suffering from acute cancer pain who prefer to avoid smoking cannabis.

“Every piece of clinical research that helps manage treatment using medical cannabis is important. Delivering treatment via inhalation is characterized by a quicker response time than oral or sublingual tablets,” said Dr. Itay Gur-Aryeh, Director of the Pain Unit at Sheba Hospital, Tel Hashomer.

The inhaler includes an attached vaporizer to which the patient adds the measured dose of cannabis extract for inhalation. The cannabis extract includes a precise dose of active ingredients.

The greatest potential for cannabis delivered via a metered-dose inhaler is its applications for palliative cancer patients who suffer from symptoms of cancer pain and are eligible for treatment with medical cannabis.

Panaxia has announced a clinical trial for registration purposes at the Ministry of Health to examine the biological availability of delivering medical cannabis via a metered-dose inhaler. Panaxia’s advanced medical cannabis products, marketed by Rafa Pharmaceuticals, will be tested as part of the clinical trial.

Source – Good News Network-  https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/clinical-research-on-cannabis-inhalers-in-israel/#.XIX4XEOuWxg.whatsapp