Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/181770
6 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2013 Petrol, diesel prices to be locked for MIRIAM DALLI THE country's state utility, Enemalta Corporation, has embarked on a pilot project which will see the prices of petrol and diesel fixed for the next three months. The new prices, effective as from 1 October, mark a €0.06 decrease in prices of unleaded (€1.43) and €0.02 in diesel prices (€1.36). At these rates, petrol is at the cheapest it has been for the past 19 months, and the same goes for diesel over the past 13 months. The three-month locking of pric- es is the result of a hedging strategy that Enemalta adopted. A hedging agreement was secured with international banks Barclays and Deutsche Bank on the purchasing of the fuel products, and a separate agreement was reached with local banks HSBC and BOV on the currency exchange rate. Depending on the success of the pilot project, Enemalta Corporation may opt for a six-month hedging strategy. Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi admitted that his wish was for longer-term stability in the fuel prices. While many have become accus- tomed to expecting a monthly adjustment to petrol and diesel prices at the pump, Mizzi insisted that the new government's policy was to provide price stability, which in turn would help families and businesses plan ahead. "Our wish was for price stability, and Enemalta understood our policy. Its technical teams examined the different options that could reach this goal and an agreement on hedging was reached," Mizzi said. The energy minister said it was government's belief that such a strategy was a positive initiative to help reduce the risks for the econ- Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi (centre) admitted that his wish was for longer-term stability in the fuel prices Cancer patients denied cannabis, made to RAPHAEL VASSALLO SEVERAL studies by top medical researchers, including from Harvard University, have concluded that the drug cannabis sativa (aka marijuana) provides more effective treatment for different types cancer than chemotherapy, without the severe side effects associated with the exposure to radiation. But patients who seek this alternative form of therapy in Malta are denied access to cannabis-based products, on the pretext that the plant from which they are derived is listed on the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance of 1971. One local patient, who asked not to be named, contacted MaltaToday to recount his own experiences after reading an article about the medical properties of marijuana in our Wednesday edition. "I am currently undergoing cancer treatment at Mater Dei Hospital, with the usual chemotherapy and medicine they stuff into you here... and I'm also a person who really believes in the medical benefits of marijuana." His requests for cannabis oil – Cannabis-based medicinal spray identified as an effective treatment for the type of cancer in question by research published in Advance Access, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (Germany) in 2007 – were turned down at Mater Dei. "I would like for doctors to start to think about the beneficial use of marijuana in certain diseases… I have also forwarded to my doctors some studies, but it's all in vain, as these people are the salesman of big pharma companies." Cannabis is not the only alternative remedy unavailable in Maltese hospitals. Requests for entirely legal, Information Sessions on Energy Efficiency in Buildings The Malta Resources Authority will be holding three information meetings for households interested in energy efficiency in buildings. The Information Sessions are going to be held on: Energy Efficiency Initiatives at Home Tuesday 1st October: Victoria Hotel, Sliema from 5.00pm till 7.45pm. Energy Efficiency in Building Monday 7th October: Victoria Hotel, Sliema from 5.00pm till 7.45pm. Renewable Energy for Households Wednesday 30th October: Victoria Hotel, Sliema from 5.00pm till 7.45pm. Maltese will be the main language used and attendance is free. Kindly reserve a seat either by calling on 22955151 or by sending an email to events@mra.org.mt . nutrition-based remedies have likewise fallen on deaf ears. "Doctors are not keen on using natural remedies and good nutrition in helping to treat this disease, like superfoods and herbal supplements, which are of great benefit to our immune system. If you see the hospital's food, it's like you went to McDonalds: a really disgusting food prepared for the masses…" Efforts to contact the Oncology Unit at Boffa Hospital on its listed telephone numbers this week proved futile, with one hospital receptionist eventually admitting (when contact- ed through the customer care unit at Mater Dei) that the telephones had been deliberately disconnected so as not to receive calls. "We're very busy today," was the official reason for this bizarre state of affairs. It is not known exactly how many patients have requested cannabisbased products to treat cancer. But there is mounting evidence that Malta's medical establishment may simply be unaware of the in-depth research that has been conducted into the subject of medical marijuana over the past decade. Dr George Grech, clinical director of Malta's drug dependency unit, Sedqa, admitted that he had never heard of studies that were published in the British and American Journals of Medicine (among many others) about the success rate of cannabis in treating cancerous tumours. "As far as I am aware there is research going on, mostly in the USA, about the use of cannabis as a painkiller in cases of terminal illness. Researchers are trying to separate the beneficial components of the plant from other components that have been linked to psychosis," he said. Hope from dope: how different cancers can be treated using marijuana Brain cancer • A study published in the British Journal of Cancer and conducted by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Complutense University in Madrid found that THC (the main active compound in marijuana) decreased tumour cells in two out of the nine patients. • A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience examined the biochemical events in both acute neuronal damage and in slowly progressive, neurodegenerative diseases. They found that THC reduced neuronal injury in rats, and that the cannabinoid system can serve to protect the brain against neurodegeneration. • A study published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics concluded that cannabidiol (CBD, a property of cannabis) was able to produce a significant antitumour activity. Breast cancer • A study published by the US National Library of Medicine and conducted by the California Pacific Medical Centre determined that cannabidiol inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion. They also demonstrated that CBD significantly reduces tumour mass. • A study published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics determined that THC as well as cannabidiol dramatically reduced breast cancer cell growth. • A study published in the journal Molecular Cancer showed that THC reduced tumour growth and tumour numbers. They determined that cannabinoids inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce cancer cell apoptosis and impair tumour angiogenesis. Lung cancer • A study published in the journal Oncogene, by the Harvard Medical School's Experimental Medicine Department determined that THC inhibits epithelial growth factor-induced lung cancer cell migration and more. • A study published by the US National Library of Medicine determined that cannabinoids inhibit cancer cell invasion. Effects were confirmed in primary tumour cells from a lung cancer patient. Overall, data indicated that cannabinoids decrease cancer cell invasiveness. • A study published by the US National Library of Medicine and conducted by Harvard Medical School investigated the role of cannabinoid receptors in lung cancer cells. They determined its effectiveness and suggested that it should be used for treatment against lung cancer cells. Prostate cancer • A study published by the US National Library of Medicine illustrates a decrease in prostatic cancer cells by acting through cannabinoid receptors. • A study published in the US National Library of Medicine outlined multiple studies proving the effectiveness of cannabis on prostate cancer. • Another study published by the US National Library of Medicine determined that clinical testing of CBD against prostate carcinoma is a must. Blood cancer • A study published in the journal Molecular Pharmacology recently showed that cannabinoids induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in mantle cell lymphoma. • A study published in the International Journal of Cancer also determined and illustrated that cannabinoids exert antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in various types of cancer and in mantle cell lymphoma. • A study published in the US National Library of Medicine and conducted by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology by Virginia Commonwealth University determined that cannabinoids induce apoptosis in leukaemia cells. Oral cancer • A study published by the US National Library of Medicine results shows cannabinoids are potent inhibitors of cellular respiration and are toxic to highly malignant oral tumours. Liver cancer • A study published by the US National Library of Medicine determined that that THC reduces the viability of human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and reduced their growth. Pancreatic cancer • A study published in The American Journal of Cancer showed that cannabinoid administration reduced the growth of tumour cells and inhibited the spread of pancreatic tumour cells.