IPOH: The Health Ministry will consider drug companies who wish to use marijuana for medical purposes should they come up with their own research and there is evidence to show that the drug is effective and safe.
Its deputy minister, Dr Lee Boon Chye said using the research of others on the effectiveness of marijuana for medical purposes is not allowed.
“When we want to import certain medication, even Panadol or other medicines, it is important for us not to use the research of others as a guideline. We need to come up with our own research, what are the dosages and how is the preparation specifically.
"We must have our own standard in terms of preparation and dosage.
“So if any drug companies who wish to register marijuana as medicine, they will have to submit the necessary information to prove several things. Number one, is it safe, is it effective?
“If there is enough information to show that it is safe and effective for a certain condition, then we can still consider it based on the particular indication. I think there are a lot of studies (on the use of marijuana) for cancer treatment, depression but we want to look at the evidence itself,” he said at a press conference after attending a gotong-royong program at Kampung Rapat Jaya Tambahan, here, today.
Dr Lee said if no drug companies put forth a request with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), the ministry will not make any decisions on medical marijuana as the use of marijuana is subjected to the Poison Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act.
“So, possession is illegal, the sale is illegal unless it is registered. When the pharmaceutical company wants to register, they will have to get the form - (they will need to inform) where it is from (marijuana), what is the dosage, either they bring it as pill or powder and they have to write it down in the application. Then the doctor will prescribe based on the information,” he said.
Dr Lee was responding to a question if Malaysia will follow Thailand which approved marijuana for medical purposes and research, the first legalisation of the drug in a region with some of the world’s strictest drug laws.
Dr Lee added that a few years ago, there were some drug companies who brought in marijuana and had registered it for medical purposes but it was subsequently withdrawn due to lack of usage.
“There are a few things that we need to consider before using marijuana for medical purposes. Marijuana like morphine and pethidine, they are listed under the Poison Act. So for these scheduled poison, they can be prescribed by doctors.
“Marijuana is also classified under the Dangerous Drugs Act. So possession without proper prescription above a certain amount, of course, we know the penalty,” he added.