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20 Apr, 2018 07:55

FDA experts recommend approval of childhood epilepsy drug derived from marijuana

A panel of US government health experts is recommending approval of a medicine made from the marijuana plant to treat childhood epilepsy, moving the medication closer to the US market, AP said. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers voted unanimously on Thursday in favor of the experimental medication from GW Pharmaceuticals. The company’s medicine is made from a chemical found in the cannabis plant – one that does not get users high. Experts believe the drug reduces seizures in children with two rare forms of severe epilepsy. If the FDA follows the recommendation, the syrup-based medicine would become the first drug derived from cannabis to win federal approval in the US. The FDA’s decision is expected by late June.