World-first medicinal cannabis trial expands
More NSW hospitals will take part in a medicinal cannabis trial for chemotherapy patients.
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown is leading the trial, which looks at how a cannabis product can assist with nausea where standard treatments have failed.
The world-first trial started in Orange last December and will expand to the following hospitals:
- Calvary Mater Newcastle
- Campbelltown
- Coffs Harbour
- Concord
- Port Macquarie Base
- Royal North Shore
- Wollongong hospitals.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW was leading the country in developing much-needed evidence for the use of medicinal cannabis.
“We have invested $21 million in ground-breaking clinical trials, research, and reforms,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Meanwhile, we are working closely with the Commonwealth to continue to support doctors wanting to prescribe appropriate medical cannabis products.
“A number of cannabis products have recently been imported from overseas in the hope of helping some of our sickest patients, removing a major barrier to accessing medical cannabis.”