New study benefits of cannabis-containing drugs are often controversial

Lack of evidence: Benefits of cannabis often not proven

For almost one and a half years, doctors in Germany have been able to prescribe medical cannabis as a prescription medicine. The possibility has been used many thousands of times. But according to health experts, the benefits of such drugs in various complaints has not been proven.

Marijuana for medical purposes

On 10 March last year, the cannabis law came into force. Since then, doctors in this country may prescribe cannabis preparations when all other treatment options have been exhausted. Even before the law was passed marijuana was used in Germany for medical purposes. The patients needed a special permit for this. In which diseases cannabis helps, has been partially proven in scientific studies. On the other hand, benefit of such drugs is sometimes not shown.

Barmer has received thousands of applications for the reimbursement of cannabis-containing medicines since the cannabis law came into force. The health insurance company warns against exaggerated expectations. The benefit of such preparations is often not proven. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com)

Cannabis works against numerous complaints

In addition to the treatment of chronic pain, ADHD, spasticity paralysis and convulsions in multiple sclerosis (MS), marijuana is also used in inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as arthritis.

Also the effect against complaints such as nausea and vomiting is scientifically proven. In addition, cannabis should be helpful against migraine.

It is also known that cannabis can expand the bronchi and thus improve the breathing of asthma patients. For this, the intoxicant should be smoked exclusively without tobacco.

Furthermore, the calming effect of cannabis can also reduce the spontaneous, impulsive tics of patients with Tourette syndrome.

Helpful may also be the appetizing effect of marijuana, because people who fight cancer through chemotherapy and radiotherapy often suffer from anorexia. For these patients, cannabis also proved helpful.

There is also a positive effect in AIDS, in which sufferers tend to lose weight, have no appetite and suffer from pain and nausea.

"Effect not scientifically proven"

However, the Barmer Krankenversicherung now warns against exaggerated expectations and points out that the benefits of cannabis are often not proven.

"Cannabis as a medicine has created a hype that is only justified on a case-by-case basis," Dr. Ursula Marschall, senior physician at Barmer.

"Cannabis-containing medicines may now be prescribed for many diseases, even if their effect has not been scientifically proven," says the expert.

"In pain, for example, cannabis should only be used as a supplement to proven concepts such as multimodal pain therapy," said the doctor.

As stated in the communication, there is no clear evidence that cannabis works for cancer, skeletal and muscle pain.

Most applications were made in Bavaria and NRW

According to a recent evaluation, Barmer has received 6,583 claims for the reimbursement of cannabis-containing medicines since the cannabis law came into force last year.

According to the information, 4,436 applications were approved and 2,147 rejected. Most applications were made in Bavaria with 1,413 and in North Rhine-Westphalia with 1,270. In Thuringia, the Saarland and Bremen, there was the least demand.

As the health insurance company reports, the total cost of the Barmer for cannabis preparations was around eight million euros, with large cost differences.

While spending on finished medicinal products and prescriptions averaged between € 350 and € 721 per cannabis patient in May 2018, they amounted to € 1,708 for cannabis flowers.

"Cannabis flowers are not only disproportionately expensive, but in practice also hardly dosed, because there are different varieties, strengths and forms of administration. Flowers should not be used, especially as there are alternative cannabis preparations, "said Marschall. (Ad)