Flora Growth’s Cannabis Covid Prevention Drug Files for Emergency Use Authorization in Colombia

Flora Growth announced its intention to apply for an Emergency Use Authorization for a cannabis-based product under Colombia’s current COVID-19 protocols. Assuming the company gets the required approval. In this case, it will be the first Covid-19 prevention product in Colombia based on herbal cannabis. The company has applied for a patent with the US Patent Office for its unique formulation. There are several studies that demonstrate the bioavailability and safety of the drug.

lack of clinical studies

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However, the drug has yet to prove its effectiveness against COVID-19 disease through clinical trials. Accordingly, the company’s research unit – Flora Pharma – is in talks with the local FDA equivalent – INVIMA. They discuss the possibilities of a study that sheds more light on the physiological pathways through which cannabinoids might work to prevent COVID-19 infection. Another key objective of the study would also be to “obtain evidence supporting the use of this product against SARS-CoV-2 and bring an effective cannabinoid-based product to market”.

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As the scientist Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, Head of Flora Pharma Division, reveals: “The aim of the study is to identify safe and effective cannabinoid products for use in SARS-CoV-2, thereby allowing us the quickest route to market a preventive immunomodulating product to develop and explore the possibility of using it as a therapeutic.”

In line with the latest knowledge

In the recent past, there have been several critical scientific studies that suggest certain cannabis compounds may help prevent contraction of COVID-19 infection. For example, a recent study from Chicago University found that the cannabis component CBD can stop viral replication in both human and mouse lung cells.

Another separate study found that patients consuming large amounts of CBD had significantly lower rates of COVID-19 infection. In this regard, we should also mention that the test subjects with lower COVID-19 rates were not consuming large amounts of THC.

In an even more fantastic find, a recent study conducted by Oregon State University found that certain acidic cannabinoids prevented human cells from becoming infected with the COVID virus in the lab. Flora Growth emphasized that the study they are planning “will not only focus on the cannabinoid acids in our studies, we will follow this study to add more layers to their great research.”

contradictions and reservations

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Before jumping to the conclusion that cannabis is a miracle drug that could help prevent COVID-19, it’s important to note the caveats. First, we should note that all previous studies on cells were done in laboratories. These were population-based studies, which are quite different from real human clinical trials. Also, the compounds involved originated from cannabis and not from actual cannabis herb.

There are also contradictions for cannabis users lured by the prospect of the high and COVID prevention. One of the studies found that the herb’s effectiveness at preventing infections decreased drastically when they smoked THC. Now, cannabis is full of THC, and it’s the compound that causes the herb’s psychoactive high.

Additionally, some studies suggest that people addicted to cannabis had higher infection rates and poorer outcomes for COVID-19. Smoking cannabis affects the lungs and puts a person at additional risk of COVID virus infection.

The anti-COVID product itself

Flora Growth intends to gain approval as an anti-Covid drug in Colombia does not contain THC and does not induce a high. It is meant to be taken orally. If the drug gets through the health authorities in Colombia, the costs will be covered by the insurance company. The Colombian government recently enacted a law requiring insurance companies to cover cannabis-based prescription drugs.