Ann: Avecho receives ethics approval for CBD human trial, page-62

30th April 2021

In a historic first, Australians living with a rare form of epilepsy will have access to a medicinal cannabis drug, which is being listed on Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the first time.

From 1 May 2021, Australians living with Dravet syndrome, will have access to Epidyolex® (cannabidiol), a new treatment used in combination with at least two other anti-epileptic medicines on the PBS.

Epidyolex® is only the second medicinal cannabis drug registered for supply in Australia, and the first one to be subsidised by the Australian Government on the PBS.

Dravet syndrome is a rare, genetic epileptic encephalopathy that gives rise to seizures which don’t respond well to the standard medications. The disorder begins in the first year of life in otherwise healthy infants.

GLA