Medical cannabis patients in the UK will soon be able to access an oral spray made with purified, plant-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), according to Irish manufacturer Dunbar Pharmaceuticals.
The spray will use Dunbar’s WaterClear THC, a plant-derived dronabinol, which is the pharmaceutical name for purified delta-9-THC. Most medical products containing dronabinol are made synthetically.
The sprays are the second cannabis-based product for medicinal use (CBMP) from Dunbar, which earlier this year released a range of 5 mg and 10 mg oral capsules containing the same plant-based THC ingredient in conjunction with IPS Pharma in Surrey.
“The UK’s first plant-derived dronabinol oral sprays are an important milestone,” said Leah Fletcher, co-founder and CEO of Dunbar Pharma. “Cannabinoid medicines are not one-size-fits-all. The number of finished pharmaceutical options remains relatively limited, and the formulation, dose or route of administration available may not always meet an individual patient’s needs.”
Oromucosal sprays work differently to inhaled vapourised cannabis and oils. Designed to be sprayed directly into the mouth under the tongue or against the inner cheek, they offer a more precise method of dosing as the cannabinoids absorb through the thin tissue directly into the bloodstream. The onset of sprays is quicker than swallowed oils or capsules, taking around 15-45 minutes for effects to be felt. Sprays also offer a more discreet method of administration compared to flower or vaporised oil-based CBMPs.
“Patients may need different strengths and different formats, whether that’s an oral solution, spray, capsule or another appropriate dosage form,” Fletcher added. “Building a broader range of high-quality formulations through the Specials pathway can help bridge the gap between a standardised pharmaceutical ingredient and the practical needs of individual patients.”
The sprays are the first of their kind to be supplied through the UK’s Specials pathway, which allows unlicensed medicines to be manufactured or supplied for individual patients where no suitable licensed alternative is available. They will be available in 5 mL bottles at two different strengths, with recommended retail prices of £44.50 for the 25 mg/mL spray and £68.50 for the 50 mg/mL spray.
