MS patient from Derbyshire told she should not have had drug that helped her
A WOMAN with an incurable illness has been given a controversial cannabis-based drug – apparently by mistake.
Last month, the Derby Telegraph reported how Susan Garrity was believed to be the only person in Derbyshire to have been given the medication Sativex by the NHS.
She said the three-month supply from Royal Derby Hospital had transformed her life by easing the muscle stiffness caused by the incurable condition multiple sclerosis.
Now Mrs Garrity has received another three-month supply of the drug but has been told by the hospital she should not have been given it and would not get any more.
A hospital spokeswoman confirmed this was the case, adding that this would be put in writing to Mrs Garrity.
When asked why Mrs Garrity had been given the second three-month supply and whether it was a mistake, the spokeswoman said she would not discuss the situation further.
Mrs Garrity, 60, of Alfreton, said the confusion had left her feeling furious.
She said: "I'm absolutely disgusted because they let me trial the drug and it made a difference yet they're not going to let me carry on with it. I'm holding onto this second prescription as they haven't said they want it back."
In June last year, Sativex became the first cannabis-based medicine to be licensed in the country.
But, two months later, an East Midlands-wide policy recommended the NHS should not pay for it, based on research into the benefits for patients and its cost-effectiveness.
As a result, Sativex was not prescribed by hospitals in Nottingham and Leicester, nor by Derbyshire's local health authority.
Yet campaigners claim Sativex is one of the best ways to treat severe muscle stiffness and pain caused by MS.
And they are still hopeful that regional policy will change when a national recommendation about the drug is made by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
It is due to publish its recommendations as part of a wider review into its guidelines about the care of MS patients. A date for publication is yet to be given.
In the meantime, Mrs Garrity has been lucky enough to get the drug, which costs about £11 a day.
The hospital has never explained why her case has been treated as an exception to the rule, simply saying other treatments failed to work so it was a logical next step.
Before taking Sativex, Mrs Garrity said she used to fall over about once a week because her legs were so stiff and once fell so badly that she broke a bone in her wrist.
She added: "Before, I was walking around the house holding on to door frames and tables, whereas with Sativex I can lift my right foot up so I'm not afraid of falling."
About 1,500 people in Derby and surrounding area have multiple sclerosis.
5 Comments
by scratchyitup
Monday, February 13 2012, 9:23PM
“£11 quid a day! That's a lot of weed surely.
While I'm no expert on MS or whatever ailments it can or claims to be able to relieve/cure, I am anti big pharma and I can safely bet anyone that that 11 quid has a disproportionate amount of profit compared to drug priced in.
Legalisation always appears a good idea (legal or not I'm not thinking of using it) until you realise that it'll be pharma/govt that oversees it with its profit motives and that the underground will still thrive.”
by canykl
Monday, February 13 2012, 9:20PM
“@Karslap. i am not 'waving it around like a medal' as you say, i am stating a fact to the DET that yes i do get the spray and have been getting it for some years now. and yes i do think myself very lucky to get this spray, i didn't say i wasn't! and yes Mrs Garrity does have my sympathy, anyone with this nasty disease has it.
it took me a few years of non stop pestering my ms nurse, neurologist and doctor to prescribe it but they did in the end.”
by Green_Roads
Monday, February 13 2012, 6:13PM
“Another good reason for legalizing drugs.”
by Green_Roads
Monday, February 13 2012, 6:13PM
“Another good reason for legalizing drugs.”
by Karslap
Monday, February 13 2012, 4:33PM
“As Sativex doesn't appear to have been licensed in the UK until June 2010 and PCT funding seems to be a major problem, maybe you should consider yourself very lucky that you can get this drug on repeat prescription and have done since 2008 'canykl'. Have a bit of sympathy for Ms Garrity instead of waving this fact like a medal....she's is still suffering from the major impact MS has on your life. I have MS too so know what it's like!”
by canykl
Monday, February 13 2012, 2:59PM
“Susan Garrity was believed to be the only person in Derbyshire to have been given the medication Sativex by the NHS. WRONG! she isnt the only 1 to have this spray, ive got ms and i recieve the spray on repeat perscription. ive been on it since 2008!”