Jamaican scientists create a cannabis-based medicine to combat hepatitis C

A group of scientists, led by Dr. Henry Lowe, discovered in the CBD (cannabidiol), one of the major non-intoxicating components of cannabis, properties for providing affordable treatments for Hepatitis C. This discovery was published in the magazine Pharmacognosy Research.

The team thus found that cannabidiol was very effective against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is responsible for cirrhosis and liver cancer.

A breakthrough for poor countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C are particularly poor in poor or developing countries. People from Central Africa experience higher rates of HCV prevalence than other ethnic groups.

Dr. Lowe, a pioneer in cannabis medical research, reminds us that there is currently no vaccine against the’hepatitis C and that there is only one drug available to treat HCV, at a cost of 850,001 TP4T per treatment.

«This is a new discovery, made two years ago, but we took time to conduct additional research on the cost-benefit ratio of our discovery. A patent has been filed to protect our intellectual property, and we are now finalizing the formulation of a nutraceutical product that should be released by the end of the year, and preparing clinical trials that will span the next three years.

The research was funded by Medicanja, Jamaica's first medical cannabis company, launched by Dr. Lowe in December 2013. The company also plans to study the pain-relieving properties of cannabis-based medicines and is looking to sell them across a range of products (nutraceuticals, vaporizers, oils, etc.).

Dr. Lowe is also working with the South African government to expand the scope of research on the Medical cannabis in South Africa.

Between 2 and 31 million people worldwide (130 to 170 million) are affected by hepatitis C. The disease is estimated to kill between 350,000 and 500,000 people each year.