A medical breakthrough at the John Hunter Children's Hospital took place as children were already allowed to receive medical marijuana for their treatment. A group of children diagnosed with severe epilepsy was given medical marijuana as an alternative treatment.
Medical marijuana continually paves the way in creating a medical advancement. With its capacity to destroy cancer cells and alleviate chronic pains, it is said to be a better option for children struggling with chronic illnesses including cancer and epilepsy.
According to Newcastle Herald, around 12 local children from the John Hunter Children's hospital were chosen to take part in a medical trial through the NSW Government Compassionate Access Scheme. It was noted that these children were able to take medical marijuana that would pave way for a positive treatment effect.
"This is an important first step in exploring the clinical use of cannabis-derived medicine for the treatment of severe childhood epilepsy," lead trial researcher Dr. John Lawson said. The scheme will see some of the sickest children who have not responded to available epilepsy drugs and treatments in NSW.
It will also offer them to gain access to a regulated pharmaceutical supply of the promising medicine, cannabidiol, at an earlier date than was expected and before it is accessible in many other countries. Dr. John Lawson then added that the children who participated in the trial were severely suffering from epilepsy, which given that not less than 100 seizures a day.
Lawson then added that these children were too sick to take part of the clinical trials. He also stressed that these trials were patterned towards providing better healthcare options for these children and their families.
Medical marijuana continually provides a safer alternative for children with rare and severe health care cases. One of which is the rare epilepsy condition known as Dravet Syndrome. Parent Herald previously reported that medical marijuana already provided the cure for hundreds of children who were suffering from epilepsy and other chronic diseases.
