DanCann Pharma A/S: The Danish Government Proposes Permanent Scheme for Prescription-Based Medicinal Cannabis for Danish Patients
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, 19 November 2024 – DanCann Pharma A/S (SS: DANCAN) (“DanCann Pharma” or the “Company”), a Danish company powered by cannabinoids, hereby announces that the Danish government has expressed its intention to make the Pilot Programme for prescription-based medicinal cannabis permanent. This proposal will be presented today by the Minister of the Interior and Health, Sophie Løhde, during negotiations with the political parties supporting the initiative. The decision is based on a recent evaluation that highlights a significant increase in the number of prescriptions filled, which has now reached its highest level since the inception of the Pilot Programme in 2018. The evaluation report is attached to this press release.
Over the past three years, approximately 20,000 prescriptions for medicinal cannabis have been filled under the Pilot Programme.
The Pilot Programme, launched in 2018, was designed to provide specific patient groups – such as those with multiple sclerosis or cancer – with a legal pathway to obtain medicinal cannabis as part of their treatment.
The latest evaluation demonstrates a steady rise in the use of medicinal cannabis, particularly in recent years, with approximately 1,800 patients currently receiving prescriptions for various cannabis-based medicines.
“We see that many patients prescribed medicinal cannabis by their doctors appear to benefit from the treatment. This includes cancer patients suffering severe nausea after chemotherapy or individuals with multiple sclerosis experiencing intense pain,”said Minister Sophie Løhde.
“The government believes that patients should continue to have legal access to medicinal cannabis, which is why we propose making the Pilot Programme permanent. However, it remains to be seen how the supporting political parties respond,” Løhde added.
Minister Løhde has invited the Pilot Programme’s supporting parties – SF, Liberal Alliance, Enhedslisten, Dansk Folkeparti, and Alternativet – to negotiations on the Pilot Programme today, 19 November.
Read the press release from the Ministry of the Interior and Health here.
About the Pilot Programme
The Pilot Programme primarily targets patients with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, chronic pain, or nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, who have not experienced sufficient relief from approved medications.
The Danish Medicines Agency has continuously monitored reports from patients and doctors concerning potential side effects associated with medicinal cannabis. During the Pilot Programme, no new evidence has emerged suggesting that medicinal cannabis poses patient safety risks.
In 2021, the Pilot Programme was extended by four years, with its current term set to expire at the end of 2025.
As part of the 2021 extension, Denmark also permanently established the legal framework for companies to cultivate cannabis for medical purposes within the country.
About DanCann Pharma A/S
DanCann Pharma A/S (SS: DANCAN) was founded in 2018 and is a Danish biopharmaceutical Company powered by cannabinoids.
DanCann Pharma A/S (SS: DANCAN) is listed on the Spotlight Stock Market in Copenhagen/Stockholm.
For more information, visit: www.dancann.com
For further information, please contact:
Jeppe Krog Rasmussen, CEO
E-mail: jkr@dancann.com
Forward-looking-statement:
Some statements in this release may contain forward-looking information. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects, or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding potential acquisitions and financings) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements are subject to several risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, the inability of the Company, to obtain sufficient financing to execute the Company’s business plan; competition; regulation and anticipated and unanticipated costs and delays, the success of the Company’s research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this presentation are made as of the date of this presentation and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.