Epileptic children to get cannabis-based drug ahead of trials, NSW Premier says

By state political reporter Ashleigh Raper

New South Wales children with the worst cases of drug-resistant epilepsy will be the first children in Australia given access to a cannabis-based treatment.

The NSW Government has announced it has secured the medicine from the United Kingdom for 40 child patients.

The oral drug known as Epidiolex has already been trialled overseas.

NSW Premier Mike Baird said children in the state with the most severe cases of the condition would now have access to the drug.

"I have spoken to some of those parents, I've been moved by their tears," he said.

"I just can't imagine what it would be like to stand there, to be there, to look at your children suffering and continuing to suffer.

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Thumbnail:Flickr CC Chuck Coker