Medicinal use of CBD products a step forward, say pharmacists

PETALING JAYA: The move to allow the registration of cannabidiol (CBD) products poses no concern as long as it passes due diligence checks by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), says the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS).

The products, it said, would have to undergo a thorough review by NPRA before being allowed for medicinal use, noting that it would undergo the same process as other products meant for medicinal use.

MPS president Amrahi Buang said there were no issues with using CBD products for medicinal purposes considering that they were given prior approval by NPRA.

“The important thing to note is that the products will be reviewed through three aspects in accordance with good manufacturing practices.

“The evaluated aspects cover factors such as the product’s quality, safety, and efficacy against certain conditions if intended to be used medically,” he said.

He pointed out that morphine was readily available for medicinal purposes in a controlled manner.

“The use of CBD products for this purpose is no different if approved,” he said.

Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Human Anatomy Department neuroscientist Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas said allowing CBD products for medical treatments was a step in the right direction.

“This move similarly highlights the government’s openness and proactiveness in creating new pathways for various treatments,” he said when contacted.

He explained that CBD was a non-psychotic component within cannabis and would bring about minimal to zero euphoria compared to the consumption of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

“Outside Malaysia, CBD products are most commonly used to treat patients with mental illnesses by providing a sense of calm and relief.

“As of now, the only CBD product approved by the US Food and Drug Administration is Epidiolex, which is used for treating seizures associated with epilepsy,” he explained.

Dr Mohamad Aris also anticipated no abuse, given that the drug would have to be prescribed with no over-the-counter sales permitted.He noted that although both cannabis and marijuana refer to the same thing, cannabis was more often associated with medicinal use while marijuana with recreational use.

On Thursday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the registration of CBD products would likely begin next year, with a framework for the registration of cannabis products for medicinal use expected to be released sometime this year.

He said NPRA would also analyse proposals on its implementation, adding that medical practitioners must be trained to prescribe CBD for medicinal use.