Response to Media Comment

 

TIDMGWP 
 
RNS Number : 7227O 
GW Pharmaceuticals PLC 
02 July 2010 
 

                         Clarification re media comment 
 
 
Porton Down, UK, 2 July 2010:  In response to a story in a regional UK media 
outlet yesterday, GW wishes to make the following clarification: 
 
The story covered a decision by certain Primary Care Trusts (PCT) in a region of 
the UK that they were not paying for Sativex prescriptions. GW wishes to clarify 
that this decision was made last year, prior to the approval of Sativex when 
Sativex was only available on a "named patient" basis. At that time, Sativex was 
not approved in the UK. 
 
Under the UK named patient programme, which was in place prior to approval, over 
90% of PCTs in the UK paid for Sativex on the NHS. GW hopes that in light of 
formal regulatory approval in late June 2010, such policies would continue for 
the vast majority of PCTs. 
 
It is inevitable under the PCT system in the UK that certain localities will 
adopt different policies towards medicines and Sativex is no different in this 
respect to any other medicine. The issue of PCT policies towards adoption of new 
medicines is one which GW's UK marketing partner, Bayer Schering Pharma, is 
accustomed to addressing and one that is common to the launch of all new 
medicines in the UK.  There are 151 PCTs in England alone. 
 
GW recognises and supports the efforts of people with Multiple Sclerosis, and 
their patient organisations such as the MS Society and MS Trust, to access 
Sativex. There is a clear unmet need that Sativex seeks to address and Sativex 
has the potential to make a meaningful difference to patients' quality of life. 
 
In the short time since the launch of Sativex, GW confirms NHS prescriptions are 
being written around the UK and that it and its partner, Bayer Schering Pharma, 
are both pleased with progress to date. 
 
                                     -ends- 
 
Enquiries: 
 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
| GW Pharmaceuticals plc               |    (Today) + 44 20 7831 | 
|                                      |                    3113 | 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
| Dr Geoffrey Guy, Chairman            |  (Thereafter) + 44 1980 | 
|                                      |                  557000 | 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
| Justin Gover, Managing Director      |                         | 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
|                                      |                         | 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
| Financial Dynamics                   |       + 44 20 7831 3113 | 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
| Ben Atwell / John Dineen             |                         | 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
|                                      |                         | 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
| Piper Jaffray Ltd                    | [phone]     | 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
| Neil Mackison / Rupert Winckler      |                         | 
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------+ 
 
Note to Editors 
 
About GW Pharmaceuticals 
GW Pharmaceuticals plc (AIM:GWP) was founded in 1998 and is listed on the AiM, a 
market of the London Stock Exchange.  Operating under licence from the UK Home 
Office, the company researches and develops cannabinoid pharmaceutical products 
for patients who suffer from a range of serious ailments, in particular MS and 
cancer pain.  GW has assembled a large in-house scientific team with expertise 
in cannabinoid science as well as experience in the development of both plant 
based prescription pharmaceutical products and medicines containing controlled 
substances. GW occupies a world leading position in cannabinoids and has 
developed an extensive international network of the most prominent scientists in 
the field. 
 
For further information, please visit www.gwpharm.com 
 
 
This information is provided by RNS 
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange 
   END 
 
 RSPSSFSUEFSSESW