BANGKOK, Aug 14 (TNA) – The Ministry of Public Health
will distribute the first batch of cannabis oil produced by the Government
Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) to hospitals for the treatment of about 200 eligible
patients next week.
Public Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr. Sukhum
Kanjanapimai said the Ministry had received GPO extracted cannabis oil and
expected to distribute 3,900 bottles to 12 hospitals and seven Thai traditional
medicine institutes by August 19.
The GPO has produced the first batch of legal medical
marijuana in three variations – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD)
and a mixture of THC and CBD. The
extracted cannabis oil will be administered to patients who are part of a
research program and undergoing chemotherapy, according to the ministry.
Dr. Somsak Akhasilp, director-general of the Department of
Medical Services, said that from over 2,000 patients who had registered for
medical marijuana, only 200 were qualified and would be prescribed to the GPO
products.
Thailand has moved toward legalizing medical marijuana after
it amended the country’s drug law last year to allow the licensed medical use
of marijuana. Public Health Minister
Anutin Chanvirakul has said that million bottles of cannabis oil extract should
be available within five to six months. (TNA)
