Medical marijuana has been approved for use on a New Zealand teenager in an induced coma.
Photo: AFP
The decision was announced today by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne.
Alex Renton, 19, is suffering from refractory status epilepticus, which causes him to suffer from repeated seizures. It is not known what is causing them but it is believed his body's immune system is turning against itself.
Capital and Coast District Health Board applied to the Ministry of Health and Peter Dunne to use Elixinol, a medicinal marijuana which had been shown to relieve some forms of epilepsy.
Dunne today said he was approving its use in this case on compassionate grounds.
“Despite the absence of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of (the drug) in patients with Mr Renton's condition status epilepticus, my decision relies on the dire circumstances and extreme severity of Mr Renton's individual case,” Dunne said.
“I have considerable sympathy for the family of Mr Renton, who face an incredibly difficult situation. Understandably they want to do the best for their son, and they believe that this option is worth trying.”
Dunne said he had also considered the absence of any other treatment options, the low risk of significant adverse effects, and the hospital ethics committee's recommendation.
“Ministerial approval in this case does not extend beyond Mr Renton's application and should in no way be construed as setting a wider precedent.”
Dunne was satisfied with the way the DHB and the Ministry of Health had handled the matter, and that he hoped for a good outcome for Mr Renton and his family.
A version of this story was first published on radionz.co.nz.