Latest news with #SchoolofPharmacy
Medscape
16 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
Why Is Medical Cannabis Missing From Med School Curriculum?
At last count, 48 US states, Washington DC, and 3 territories have legalized cannabis for medical/therapeutic purposes, and 24 for adult recreational use. In 2020, at least 8.3 million Americans acknowledged using medical cannabis; many of the same patients also reported mixed (ie, medicinal/recreational) use. Clinical education has not caught up. There are 19 cannabis education certificate and/or master's level programs offered in colleges, universities, and graduate schools in 14 US states, meaning that only about one third of the 48 states that have legalized medicinal cannabis have some sort of college or graduate-level curriculum to support patients. The dearth of cannabis education has also left a large percentage of the more than 1 million practicing physicians in the US — and concurrently, most future prescribers — without a framework to leverage what has the potential to become one of the most important tools at their disposal. Leah Sera, PharmD, is associate professor and the inaugural program director of the nation's first Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program at the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Pharmacy in Baltimore. Sera explained the impetus behind UMD's program (which launched in August 2019) was the concerns voiced by health professionals; not only were they not learning about cannabis medicine and the endocannabinoid system in academic programs, but more importantly, they lacked the knowledge to help patients coming to them with questions. 'I think that it's important for health professional educational programs to incorporate cannabis medicine into their curricula so that when we graduate new generations of healthcare providers, they're better equipped to really engage with a public who clearly wants more information — both to keep them safe and help improve their lives,' she said. Medical literature has underscored that medical students feel the same. A 2019 survey of medical school students indicated that although participants expressed mixed feelings about medicinal cannabis, the majority said they lacked adequate knowledge about its therapeutic applications, research, and science and instead relied on anecdotal evidence and social media for information. The Endocannabinoid System Arguably, politics have played a large role in slowing broad acceptance of the medicinal benefits of cannabis (eg, fearmongering, the war on drugs), and it is still considered a Schedule 1 drug. These factors are also believed to have contributed to the lack of inclusion in medical school curriculum. 'What it means for cannabis to be a Schedule 1 substance is that the federal government says that cannabis does not have a currently accepted medical use and the highest risk of abuse,' said Sera. 'Although there's been a lot of cannabis research both within and outside the US, it's very difficult to do gold standard randomized, controlled trials with any Schedule 1 drug.' 'Until very recently (and it may be occurring still), a lot of medical and nursing programs taught that cannabis is bad, has no therapeutic benefits, and it's highly addictive,' added Nishi Whiteley, cofounder and chief operating officer of CReDO Science, a science and research organization geared toward education, cannabis product optimization, and clinical consultation. 'There's been an active campaign to malign cannabis, which is an enormous disservice to the patient and to the medical professional who needs to have more tools in their toolbox,' she said. Despite these challenges, decades of scientific research have consistently shown that the endocannabinoid system helps modulate a wide range of physiologic processes (eg, pain, inflammation, mood, metabolism, and neuroprotection) through its interaction with the major systems in the body, including the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems and digestive symptoms. This is a key reason why cannabis researchers and specialists have argued for its inclusion within medical education programs. 'Every place we've looked, in whatever physiological system, the endocannabinoid system has a role as a homeostatic regulator,' said Ethan Russo, MD, a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacology researcher, and cofounder/CEO of CReDO Science. 'We now understand that there are endogenous cannabinoids that are similar in structure to what we see in cannabis,' said Reggie Gaudino, PhD, a molecular geneticist and director of the Cannabis Research Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago. 'The endocannabinoid system is like the one ring to rule them all,' he said. 'It interacts through all other biochemical pathways and systems in the body to help keep our different processes in balance. Without understanding that system, we create other problems.' Just the Basics These cannabis experts said that at the very least, practicing and future prescribers need a foundational education that might include an overview of the endocannabinoid system, how it applies to disease processes, and its major components. 'The endocannabinoid system is a good starting point; it's how we are used to learning about medications and how biological systems are altered from disease or medication or other treatments,' said Sera. She explained that this provides a foundation for discussions about the pharmacology of cannabinoids — chemicals within the cannabis plant that have biologic activity in humans and other animals — and how they interact with the endocannabinoid system to produce downstream effects on other organs. Sera also said that it is important for future prescribers to learn how to interpret different types of medical literature and cannabis studies despite methodological concerns that have plagued the industry and the lack of studies on specific products available in medical dispensaries. The same is true for counteracting cannabis hysteria in mainstream media every time a new study comes out, said Russo. 'Medical students need to be aware that real issues can arise with cannabis and its potential abuse, which does happen,' he explained. 'But the other side of the coin is therapeutics, which is quite distinct in terms of intent and dosages, ie, there's a distinction between a small dose for therapeutic purposes and a large dose that may produce harm.' Importantly, this fact has often been overlooked in alarmist headlines and stories that have gained the most traction. Bridging the Gap Today, the gap between educational needs and educational reality is large. To address this, Russo and Whiteley said they developed an online, 40-hour advanced medical cannabis certificate program for practicing clinicians. For professionals interested in learning how to address patient questions in an informed manner, they also created a Foundations of Cannabis Therapeutics course. Though future prescribers can certainly benefit from these sorts of online foundational courses, the dearth of cannabis education within medical schools has left a large knowledge and practice deficit. Dustin Sulak, DO, an integrative medicine specialist, cannabis expert, and founder of Intergr8 Health and a medical cannabis education resource in Falmouth, Maine, considers cannabis medicine revolutionary in that it actually alters the way the medicine is practiced. 'Cannabis medicine is a paradigm shift away from single-molecule interventions that have single physiologic targets toward more complex botanical treatments that target many things in the body — most of all, interfacing with the endocannabinoid system,' said Sulak. He used the example of managing pain, sleep, spasticity, and depression all at the same time with the same treatment. 'For any field of medicine to fail to take into consideration the role of the endocannabinoid system in pathophysiology is a shortcoming and a missed opportunity for interventions that improve symptoms and potentially, a cure,' he said. There is a broader paradigm shift that's needed, one that requires a new mindset, especially within the medical education and practice arena. 'I think of myself as a patient advocate, not a cannabis advocate,' said Sera. 'Cannabis is a potentially powerful tool for some patients that can improve their lives; it's not about the plant itself.' Russo is chief medical officer for Indira Pharmaceuticals and receives advisory fees from Carnada. Sulak is equity owner of Whiteley, Gaudino, and Sera reported having no relevant financial relationships.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
PU researcher receives Marie Curie Fellowship — valued at over Rs 3 crore
Bunty Sharma, a researcher from the SAIF/CIL Department, Panjab University, has been honoured with the prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship — a renowned European Union award, aimed at supporting advanced scientific research and training. The esteemed post-doctoral fellowship — valued at over Rs 3 crore — will facilitate Sharma's pioneering work at the School of Pharmacy (19th QS world ranking), Queen's University Belfast in the UK, on microneedle array patches for skin cancer treatment through combinatorial therapy. Sharma joined the School of Pharmacy under the mentorship of renowned scientist Professor Ryan Donnelly and Lalit Vora. Sharma's research project will focus on innovative diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer, using cutting-edge microneedle technology. The research promises to make significant strides in improving the methods of delivering cancer therapies, offering hope for more effective treatments. His academic journey has been marked by several accolades. His commitment to scientific excellence continued during his PhD on metallocatanionic formulations for photodynamic therapy at the Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh PU, where he was awarded DST INSPIRE Fellowship. During his doctoral studies, he was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship by the UK government, enabling him to conduct research at the School of Pharmacy (12th QS world ranking), University of Nottingham, UK. At PU, he works as a project scientist-I at SAIF/CIL Department. He is from Dohak village, Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Implantable electronic device restores movement after spinal cord injury
A team of Australian researchers has developed and implantable electronic device has restored movement following spinal cord injury in an animal study, raising hopes for an effective treatment for humans and even their pets. Spinal cord injuries are currently incurable with devastating effects on people's lives, but now a trial at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland offers hope for an effective treatment. 'Unlike a cut on the skin, which typically heals on its own, the spinal cord does not regenerate effectively, making these injuries devastating and currently incurable,' said lead researcher Dr Bruce Harland, a senior research fellow in the School of Pharmacy at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. 'We developed an ultra-thin implant designed to sit directly on the spinal cord, precisely positioned over the injury site in rats,' Dr Harland added in a paper published in Nature Communications journal. The device delivers a carefully controlled electrical current across the injury site. 'The aim is to stimulate healing so people can recover functions lost through spinal-cord injury,' said Professor Darren Svirskis, director of the CatWalk Cure Programme at the University's School of Pharmacy. Unlike humans, rats have a greater capacity for spontaneous recovery after spinal cord injury, which allowed researchers to compare natural healing with healing supported by electrical stimulation. After four weeks, animals that received daily electric field treatment showed improved movement compared with those who did not. Throughout the 12-week study, they responded more quickly to gentle touch. 'This indicates that the treatment supported recovery of both movement and sensation,' Harland said. 'Just as importantly, our analysis confirmed that the treatment did not cause inflammation or other damage to the spinal cord, demonstrating that it was not only effective but also safe.' The goal is to transform this technology into a medical device that could benefit people living with these life-changing spinal-cord injuries,' added Professor Maria Asplund of Chalmers University of Technology. The next step is to explore how different doses, including the strength, frequency, and duration of the treatment, affect recovery, to discover the most effective recipe for spinal-cord repair.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Study Offers Hope For Healing From Spinal Cord Injuries
Press Release – University of Auckland Spinal cord injuries are currently incurable with devastating effects on peoples lives, but now a trial at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland offers hope for an effective cord injuries shatter the signal between the brain … Spinal cord injuries are currently incurable, with devastating effects on people's lives, but now a trial at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland offers hope for an effective treatment. Spinal cord injuries are currently incurable with devastating effects on people's lives, but now a trial at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland offers hope for an effective treatment. Spinal cord injuries shatter the signal between the brain and body, often resulting in a loss of function. 'Unlike a cut on the skin, which typically heals on its own, the spinal cord does not regenerate effectively, making these injuries devastating and currently incurable,' says lead researcher Dr Bruce Harland, a senior research fellow in the School of Pharmacy at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Before birth, and to a lesser extent afterwards, naturally occurring electric fields play a vital role in early nervous system development, encouraging and guiding the growth of nerve tissue along the spinal cord. Scientists are now harnessing this same electrical guidance system in the lab. An implantable electronic device has restored movement following spinal cord injury in an animal study, raising hopes for an effective treatment for humans and even their pets. 'We developed an ultra-thin implant designed to sit directly on the spinal cord, precisely positioned over the injury site in rats,' Dr Harland says. The device delivers a carefully controlled electrical current across the injury site. 'The aim is to stimulate healing so people can recover functions lost through spinal-cord injury,' Professor Darren Svirskis, director of the CatWalk Cure Programme at the University's School of Pharmacy says, 'Unlike humans, rats have a greater capacity for spontaneous recovery after spinal cord injury, which allowed researchers to compare natural healing with healing supported by electrical stimulation. After four weeks, animals that received daily electric field treatment showed improved movement compared with those who did not. Throughout the 12-week study, they responded more quickly to gentle touch. 'This indicates that the treatment supported recovery of both movement and sensation,' Harland says. 'Just as importantly, our analysis confirmed that the treatment did not cause inflammation or other damage to the spinal cord, demonstrating that it was not only effective but also safe.' This new study, published in a leading journal, has come out of a partnership between the University of Auckland and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. See Nature Communications [live 9pm 26 June]. 'Long term, the goal is to transform this technology into a medical device that could benefit people living with these life-changing spinal-cord injuries,' says Professor Maria Asplund of Chalmers University of Technology. 'This study offers an exciting proof of concept showing that electric field treatment can support recovery after spinal cord injury,' says doctoral student Lukas Matter, also from Chalmers University. The next step is to explore how different doses, including the strength, frequency, and duration of the treatment, affect recovery, to discover the most effective recipe for spinal-cord repair.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Study Offers Hope For Healing From Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are currently incurable, with devastating effects on people's lives, but now a trial at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland offers hope for an effective treatment. Spinal cord injuries are currently incurable with devastating effects on people's lives, but now a trial at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland offers hope for an effective treatment. Spinal cord injuries shatter the signal between the brain and body, often resulting in a loss of function. 'Unlike a cut on the skin, which typically heals on its own, the spinal cord does not regenerate effectively, making these injuries devastating and currently incurable,' says lead researcher Dr Bruce Harland, a senior research fellow in the School of Pharmacy at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Before birth, and to a lesser extent afterwards, naturally occurring electric fields play a vital role in early nervous system development, encouraging and guiding the growth of nerve tissue along the spinal cord. Scientists are now harnessing this same electrical guidance system in the lab. An implantable electronic device has restored movement following spinal cord injury in an animal study, raising hopes for an effective treatment for humans and even their pets. 'We developed an ultra-thin implant designed to sit directly on the spinal cord, precisely positioned over the injury site in rats,' Dr Harland says. The device delivers a carefully controlled electrical current across the injury site. 'The aim is to stimulate healing so people can recover functions lost through spinal-cord injury,' Professor Darren Svirskis, director of the CatWalk Cure Programme at the University's School of Pharmacy says, "Unlike humans, rats have a greater capacity for spontaneous recovery after spinal cord injury, which allowed researchers to compare natural healing with healing supported by electrical stimulation. After four weeks, animals that received daily electric field treatment showed improved movement compared with those who did not. Throughout the 12-week study, they responded more quickly to gentle touch. 'This indicates that the treatment supported recovery of both movement and sensation,' Harland says. 'Just as importantly, our analysis confirmed that the treatment did not cause inflammation or other damage to the spinal cord, demonstrating that it was not only effective but also safe.' This new study, published in a leading journal, has come out of a partnership between the University of Auckland and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. See Nature Communications [live 9pm 26 June]. 'Long term, the goal is to transform this technology into a medical device that could benefit people living with these life-changing spinal-cord injuries,' says Professor Maria Asplund of Chalmers University of Technology. 'This study offers an exciting proof of concept showing that electric field treatment can support recovery after spinal cord injury,' says doctoral student Lukas Matter, also from Chalmers University. The next step is to explore how different doses, including the strength, frequency, and duration of the treatment, affect recovery, to discover the most effective recipe for spinal-cord repair.
