>From: "Peter McWilliams" >Subject: Paging Dr. Tom... >Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 17:10:37 -0800 >X-Mozilla-Status: 8001 >X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 > > >Dr. Tom--are you there? A reply is desperately needed! > >Enjoy, > >Peter > >------- > > >Pubdate: Wed, 05 Jan 2000 >Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI) >Copyright: 2000, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. >Contact: jsedit@onwis.com >Fax: 414-224-8280 >Website: http://www.jsonline.com/ >Forum: http://www.jsonline.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimate.cgi >Author: Richard Roberts, MD >Note: Dr. Roberts, of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, practices >family medicine in Belleville, Wisconsin. He is president-elect of the >American Academy of Family Physicians. > >EVIDENCE NECESSARY BEFORE PRESCRIBING MARIJUANA > >The medical marijuana debate was rejuvenated last month when Vice President >Al Gore suggested that the government give doctors greater flexibility to >prescribe the drug to relieve pain and suffering. Despite the new attention >to the issue, an old problem remains: good, quality evidence that marijuana >is superior to existing treatments does not exist. > >Nobody is more aware of patient suffering than those of us who dedicate our >lives to alleviating it. If marijuana were really the wonder drug that some >groups purport it to be, physicians would be in favor of prescribing it. >But the fact is that the majority of patients respond very well to current, >proven treatments. In my own experience, over the past 16 years of >practicing medicine, I have never been tempted to recommend that a patient >smoke marijuana. This is because established treatments have proven to work >well for them. But do understand, however, that not every patient is so >fortunate. > >What would we have to lose by trying marijuana in those difficult to treat >cases? > >What we lose, more specifically, what the patient may lose, is the chance >to treat the problem with one of the medications that have survived >rigorous, well-controlled studies. To do otherwise, is to risk making the >problem worse by pursuing an unknown course that may cause severe side >effects and even death. > >I can't help but think the interest in medical marijuana is derived partly >from myths about health care in America, that somehow magic cures, potions >and "natural" remedies are available, but being denied to the public. > >As successful and sometimes amazing as modern medicine has become, >Physicians can not work miracles. The human body remains in many ways a >mystery. > >We are learning more, and need to learn much more, to help those patients >who do not respond fully to traditional medicine. But subjecting patients >to drugs that have not or can not pass scientific muster would be a >violation of the physician's oath to do no harm. > >Science ultimately reveals secrets to conquering disease, even though the >process may take longer than we would sometimes like. > > >================================================================ > >This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to > the mailing list . >To unsubscribe, E-mail to: