Canada: Sativex now available in pharmacies

In April 2005, Canada became the first country in the world to approve Sativex.

The cost of Sativex per vial is 124.95 Canadian Dollars (about 83 Euros or 101 US-Dollars). Each vial contains approximately 51 sprays. Its principal active components are THC and cannabidiol (CBD).

The ratio of THC to CBD in Sativex is 2.7 mg : 2.5 mg per spray. One milligram of THC would cost about 0.90 Canadian Dollars (about 0.60 Euros or 0.73 US-Dollars). The price of Marinol (THC) in the USA depends on package size and is about 2.20 US-Dollars per mg (1.82 Euros). The price of THC (dronabinol) in Germany is about 0.80 Euros per mg. The price of THC in the variety Bedrobinol (18 per cent THC, 9 Euros per gram) sold in Dutch pharmacies is 0.05 Euros/mg.

Comments from hemp-info editors: 1 milligram of this THC-containing medicament costs 0.60 Euros, so the price of 1 kilo is 600’000 Euros. One kilo of organically grown swiss hemp, which is an ideal herbal medicament, is available up from 253 Euro per kilo. Why not prefer natural herbal medicine, since its cost are low and its effects are, in many cases, as good or even better than the efficacy of pharmaceutical medicaments?

http://www.cannabis-med.org/english...

(Sources: Press release of Bayer Health Care Canada of 20 June 2005, comment of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada of 20 June 2005)