Media release

From: NICM

Australia’s leader in complementary and integrative medicine research based at Western Sydney University, NICM, has partnered with Australian biotechnology company Oz Medicann Pharma (OMG Pharma) to undertake the clinical trial, which will see volunteers apply the treatment to painful joints for four weeks.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes inflammation, pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in joints, commonly in the hands.

National Institute of Complementary Medicine Chief Investigator Associate Professor Carolyn Ee said early studies suggested topical cannabidiol – also known as CBD – may have beneficial effects on pain and function in arthritis.

“Topical CBD is applied directly to the skin over painful joints and has several advantages including few side effects,” said Associate Professor Ee.

“CBD does not contain any of the compounds in cannabis that can cause people to feel ‘high’, so using this medication will not affect a participant’s mental state.”

For Melbourne rheumatoid arthritis sufferer Kathryn Hunt, who’s lived with the severely debilitating condition for 12 years, the treatment has been “life-changing”, after having it prescribed from her GP.

“My response was quite emotional because it was the first time I had something I could honestly say, ‘Wow, this has given me instant relief’ after being in so much pain and nothing really managed it,” Ms Hunt said.

“I might overuse a joint while doing something simple like cooking and by nighttime it’s incredibly inflamed, sore to touch and the pain is really severe. The best way to describe it is, at its worst, the pressure of a sheet on my hand is just too painful and it throbs.

“I’m in awe of and so grateful for all the work researchers are doing to help have this treatment in your toolbox.”

Each participant will receive the active CBD salve and will complete surveys about their joint pain and function before and after four weeks of treatment.

Oz Medicann Pharma CEO and Founder John Leith said the company was proud of its longstanding research engagement with NICM.

“NICM’s reputation as a leader in this field solidifies the vital work we are doing in ensuring medicinal cannabis treatments are science backed,” he said.

“We’ve worked with NICM for a long time to come up with the best solutions that can help chronic pain sufferers worldwide, as well as other conditions such as insomnia.”

The trial is suitable for adults with rheumatoid arthritis that is not well controlled on existing medication, who are experiencing joint pain in at least four joints, who have not used medicinal or recreational cannabis for the past three months, and who can travel to Western Sydney University Westmead campus for two visits over four weeks.

BACKGROUND:

• Health system expenditure for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis totalled $5.26 billion in 2020–21 and is projected to exceed $11.92 billion by 2040, according to a 2024 report.
• Medicinal cannabis was introduced to Australia in 2016 and since then there have been developments in how it is prescribed and who is able to prescribe it.
• Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Act allows people to access 'unapproved' therapeutic goods, including most types of medicinal cannabis, via an authorised prescriber on a case-by-case basis.
• NICM researchers have been working to advance the scientific evidence-base around medicinal cannabis for many years, conducing several clinical trials to investigate its safety, effectiveness and dosage range.