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March 12, 2007
No More Munchies
Source- Halifax Chronicle Herald, Feb 6, 07. F1, F2
Description of the issue:
Diabetes is a serious health issue in Canada. Two and a half million Canadians, including 80,000 Nova Scotians, have Diabetes; one in seven health dollars goes to the care of diabetes and its complications; 80 % of diabetics die of heart attacks and strokes. It is a huge medical burden, Dr. Ehud Ur, a Nova Scotia diabetes and obesity expert, indicates. Dr Ur notes that 90 % of diabetics have type 2 and in 95% of cases with type 2, weight underlies the problem. Dr. Ur, Professor of Medicine, at Dalhousie University, is the principal investigator for the Halifax, Nova Scotia part of an international clinical trial by Pfizer. Researchers have known for years that cannabis triggers food cravings in a pleasure area of the brain identified as the cannabinoid system. A new classification of drugs known as cannabinoid receptor antagonists are believed to suppress appetite and lower blood sugar and cholesterol. A 900 - person study of the experimental drug (CP945,598) is taking place at 65 sites in 11 countries over the next year. The QEH hospital in Halifax wants to recruit 15 overweight diabetics. Their body mass index must be above 27, which translates to roughly 10 to 15 pounds overweight, an amount Dr. Ur believes is far too common.
Implications of Issue to Pharmacy:
The devastating health effects of diabetes accompanied by obesity makes this study so appealing. Health Professionals such as physicians and pharmacists are always looking for better, more effective and safer means of treatment. There's evidence the cannabinoid receptor has health benefits and a substantial effect on weight loss. It is important to emphasize that this is not a cosmetic treatment for overweight people. These drugs are targeting diabetics who are at risk from the complications of obesity.
Posted by mmacneil at March 12, 2007 10:35 PM