23 Feb 2023, MAHSA University – With the expansion of the use of Medical Cannabinoids in pain treatment by certain nations worldwide, MAHSA University becomes the first Malaysian University to charge forward in the research and training of this paramount medical drive as it signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Kensana Health Australia and the Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad today.
Drugs containing cannabinoids have proven scientifically to help treat certain rare forms of epilepsy, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, and loss of appetite and weight loss associated with HIV/AIDS and several other conditions as shown in prior research and prescribed in countries that already do legally use it either medically or recreationally such as Canada, dozens of states in America, Thailand, Malta, Uruguay, South Africa, and the capital state of Australia.
The legality of cannabis for medical and recreational use varies by country regarding its possession, distribution, and cultivation. Legally and medically, the jury is still out there on the medical usage consumption for which medical condition. Three United Nations treaties regulate these policies in most countries: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Since its de-scheduling in 2020, cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I drug under the Single Convention treaty, meaning that signatories can allow medical use. Still, it is considered an addictive drug with a severe risk of abuse.
Extending from this aspect is where MAHSA, Kensana and the Malaysian Genomic Resource Centre will play their role for Malaysia. In a recent forum titled “Medical Cannabis: Facts & Benefit”, held at Haniffa Business School by MAHSA University’s Chancellor and former Chief Justice of Malaysia, Professor Tun Zaki Tun Azmi who said to the public and press that it was unfortunate that the government, especially health officials, continued to hold on to conservative and prejudiced views on cannabinoids. In the forum, he also mentioned that if one to three per cent of the population can benefit from this treatment, the government must allow it mainly when regular doctors prescribe more potent drugs like morphine and codeine.
Through this MOU, MAHSA will be the lead research and training facility into Cannabinoid treatments, with commercialisation discussions ongoing with Duopharma and Pharmaniaga. This is a massive milestone for the University. It is known for its significant position in education as one of the top private higher education institutions for medicine and healthcare programmes and its considerable contribution to global research, innovation and enterprise.
Kensana Health Australia, a USD 900 million market cap company, is a vertically integrated phytopharmaceutical company that is revolutionising plant-based healthcare for the 21st century. At present, Kensana pioneer in Cannabinoid treatments. On the other hand, the Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad is a Bursa Malaysia-listed company set up by Kazanah National. It is a leading genomics and biopharmaceutical company in Southeast Asia, established in 2004.
The MOU was signed by YB Senator Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Hj. Mohamed Haniffa from MAHSA Group, Mr. Ken Clement from Kensana Health and Dato’ Alvin Joseph Nesakumar from Malaysian Genomics Research Centre Berhad and witness by Dato’ Dr. Shahril from MAHSA Group, Mr. Randy Uens from Kensana Health , and Mr Sasha Omar Firdaus from Malaysian Genomics Research Centre Berhad. Also present at this momentous event were the Group Directors, Deans and Directors and staff of MAHSA University.
The Group Managing Director of MAHSA Group, Dato’ Dr Shahril Haniffa, believes this collaboration with Kesana Health Australia and Malaysian Genomic Resource Centre will bring forth an excellent opportunity to support many Malaysians and neighbouring nations who travel to Malaysia for medical treatments through Malaysia’s known medical tourism industry, in their pain management and better medical care that is due for years in the revolutionary world of medicine.