Paarl-based Afriplex, the centre-piece of cannabis group Impilovest, has emerged as a leading player in local research that indicates that cannabis is highly effective in the treatment of opioid addiction.

The study involving 308 patients experiencing chronic pain conditions and on opioid treatment, alternative cannabis remedies found that 82% were off opioids within six months.

The research, approved by Pharma Ethics, the Department of Health and the Medical Research Council, was conducted by three subsidiaries of the Impilovest Group: Afriplex, the SA Cannabis Research Institute and Releaf Pharmaceuticals.

Afriplex’s tincture of a CBD/THC ratio of 1:1 was highly effective in reducing opioid dependency in the target group that was experiencing chronic pain.

The Impilovest group’s responsible pharmacist, Robert Longrigg said the success of the trials was based on an understanding of the relationship between the endocanaboid, inflammatory and nociceptive systems  (Nociceptive pain is a type of pain caused by an injury, physical pressure, or     inflammation of some part of the body)

Longrigg has emphasized the opioid-sparing effect, highlighting how medical cannabis has the potential to reduce the reliance on opioid medications.

The group has registered the brand name Caanu as a standards measure for the South African cannabis industry. It has formulated a Caanu-standardized cannabis oil, a 30ml spray to advance the medical science behind cannabis. 

Releaf Pharmaceuticals, with over 70% market share in CBD oil, coughed up the bucks to sponsor this standardized  medication, underscoring Impiovests collaborative efforts in the pursuit of     safer alternatives for chronic pain.

Looking ahead, Willco Janse van Vuuren, CEO of Releaf, emphasizes the importance of accessing cannabis medicines through proper channels. 

He says that despite the current absence of registered cannabis medicines with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), patients can utilize a Section 21 process with doctors to access cannabis medication.

Afriplex, which is emerging as a leading player in medical cannabis research says it is eagerly awaiting the results scheduled for publication in a peer-reviewed journal later this year. It says it well-positioned to take advantage of  the transformative potential of medical cannabis in pain management as it gains increasing international traction.

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