The latest internationally documented developments concerning the use of cannabinoids on clinical grounds were examined at the opening of the credit-allocated Educational Program that has been put together (free registration and attendance included) by the Scientific Committee of the Henry Dunant Hospital Center for the academic year of 2019-2020.
In particular, the scientific meeting provided with an in-depth presentation of the specific characteristics of the various chemical molecules that may interact with the mammalian endocannabinoid system (including of course that of the human body), as well as the potential uses of hemp products (industrial hemp, hemp fiber, medicinal hemp).
"In recent years there has been a great deal of interest in our country about the potential therapeutic properties of medical cannabis. This is not an isolated event, but something that rather reflects an international trend, with an increasing number of countries looking for the appropriate framework for the inclusion of medicinal products that derive directly or indirectly from this plant. Cannabis is an integral part of human history, but also of Greek tradition, occupying, according to the circumstances, a place in cultivation and daily use, illegality and the media headlines", mentioned the Director of the Department of Anesthesiology, Mrs. Fotini Danou, who coordinated the opening day of the Educational Program.
The rapporteurs (Mrs. Dimitra Papadimitriou – Director of the Department of Neurology of Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Mrs. Chrysoula Karanastasi – Anesthesiologist and Mrs. Sofia Poulopoulou – Anesthesiologist) presented the potential therapeutic uses of cannabinoid medicinal products in neurology and they also made an extensive analysis of the official position of the European Pain Federation – EFIC concerning the therapeutic use of cannabinoids. These indications remain limited today: cannabidiol has been approved in Europe and in the USA as a treatment for certain childhood epilepsy syndromes, resistant to conventional antiepileptic treatment, while Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), that constitutes the active ingredient of indian hemp, can be administered to treat the pain and spasticity of multiple sclerosis. They can also be administered as a third-line therapy for other syndromes that present spasticity and in some cases chronic pain, resistant to other analgesics, or they can be administered when these drugs have unacceptable side effects in a specific patient. They do not constitute a treatment for any kind of acute pain, and they should not be a first-choice medicine. "We should bear in mind that it is best to use them as concomitant drugs, accompanied by individualized doses and strict medical supervision".
It is noted that the new educational program, which will be completed on June 18th of 2020, covers 34 key topics and is credit-allocated by the Panhellenic Medical Association (PIS), with 68 credits of Continuing Medical Education (CME-CPD credits), according to the EACCME-UEMS criteria, significantly upgrading the participants’ Curricula Vitarum and scientific competencies. It is the largest cycle of credit-allocated seminars taking place in our country and now has institutional features, as it is organized for the fifth consecutive year and covers almost all of the fields of modern medicine and health services.
The scientific events are scheduled to take place every Thursday at the Henry Dunant Hospital Center’s Amphitheater (13:30-15:30), thus facilitating the annual planning of interested parties for the systematic attendance of the program. To secure the credits, it is mandatory to enroll in the program and attend at least 80% of the courses covering the academic year, which are addressed to all medical practitioners of all specialties and degrees (attendings, fellows, postgraduate students), but also to all those involved in the health sector.
In order to register and obtain more information, interested parties can contact the Secretariat of the Scientific Program (Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00). The Head of the Secretariat of the Scientific Program is Mrs. Chrysoula Kaitatzi (telephone number: +30 210 6972189, fax: +30 210 6979143, e-mail: scientific.education@dunant.gr).
