The State of New York will be holding clinical trials for children’s medication that is marijuana-based, targeted for kids who have seizures but are resisting the medicines available and usually require urgent care clinics. This will be done in partnership with a British company called the GW Pharmaceuticals. The agreement was inked on the first day of June, between the company and the administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo. In the agreement, the Health Department of the state and the pharmaceutical company will be spearheading the framework development for the said clinical trial aimed for kids below the age of 18.
Knowing the Process of the Trial
In an effort to reduce the need for an urgent care clinic for kids who suffer from seizures, the clinical trial will be using Epidiolex. Epidiolex is a medication that is investigational. It uses a marijuana extract called Cannabidiol, which does not cause the users to get high. In fact, this extract has been seen to help kids who have unusual forms of the epilepsy. These forms include the Lennox-Gastaut and the Dravet syndromes.
Studying the Diseases
The Dravet syndrome isn’t very common because it is a genetic disorder that is very rare. In fact, it is so rare that most anti-epileptic medicines cannot treat this disorder. This can also be fatal when not given urgent care. The other rare children’s epilepsy is called the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This kind of epilepsy is identified through several kinds of seizures daily, along with cognitive dysfunction. For children to be eligible for trial, it should be proven that the child does not show any signs that the medication they are on is not working for them.
Looking at the Developments of the Treatment
The Health Department of New York has started to work on the protocol’s framework, to be submitted to the FDA for approval. Sources say the state is expecting for a quick approval from the department. The Charlotte’s Web marijuana strain has been receiving attention internationally because of the effect it has had with kids who have seizures that are severe. The treatment was found in Colorado and is known to have a high content of Cannabidiol. This is what the state of New York also aims for, as they want seizure patients to stop asking, “Where can we find urgent care near me?” This trial announcement is in line with the legislation of marijuana that is being pushed by many to the state politics of New York.
