Revolutionary Inhaler Tackles Global Cannabis Overdose Crisis
Tel Aviv, Israel — Dr. Eytan Hyam, executive medical chairman of Syqe Medical and former director-general of Israel’s Health Ministry, recently raised a controversial point in an interview with The Jerusalem Post: “The whole world is in overdose” when it comes to cannabis consumption. His remarks spotlight a growing issue in the management of medical marijuana use, a problem his company aims to address with a groundbreaking device.
The Quest for Controlled Dosing
Dr. Hyam’s comments reflect a broader challenge within the medical community regarding the dosing of medical cannabis. Despite widespread recognition of cannabis as a valuable treatment for conditions like PTSD, accurate dosing remains problematic. “One problem is that people often exceed their prescribed amount, using methods like smoking, which can lead to adverse side effects,” Hyam explained. To combat this, Syqe Medical has developed the SyqeAir Inhaler, a novel device designed to ensure precise and controlled administration of medical cannabis.
SyqeAir Inhaler: A Solution for Accurate Cannabis Management
The SyqeAir Inhaler, headquartered in Tel Aviv, offers a unique approach to cannabis dosing. Patients use pre-loaded capsules in the inhaler, which prevents them from consuming more cannabis than what their doctor has prescribed. The device also features tracking capabilities to monitor consumption, ensuring adherence to treatment plans. The SyqeAir Inhaler has received CE (European standard) and MDL (Health Canada) approvals and has been validated by three clinical trials and multiple real-world studies since its market debut in 2019.
Collaboration with Israeli Ministry of Defense
In February 2023, Syqe Medical secured a significant agreement with the Israeli Ministry of Defense. This partnership allows veterans prescribed medical cannabis to access the SyqeAir Inhaler and its cartridges through the same channels as other pharmaceutical drugs. This agreement marks a crucial step in integrating precise cannabis dosing into established medical frameworks.
Addressing the Dosing Problem
Dr. Hyam highlighted a key issue for healthcare professionals: “Most doctors believe in cannabis, but only 4% prescribe it. The challenge is that cannabis lacks the standardized dosing assurance found with conventional medications.” He compared cannabis dosing challenges to other medications, noting the variability in how individuals metabolize and inhale cannabis.
Hagit Kamin, CEO of SyqeAir division, further underscored the problem. She pointed out that 81% of medical marijuana users experience adverse effects due to smoking, which complicates accurate dosing. “The majority of patients smoke cannabis rather than using oils because smoking provides faster effects,” Kamin explained. The SyqeAir Inhaler, she said, offers relief within five minutes without the negative effects associated with smoking.
Ensuring Quality and Precision
Syqe Medical sources its cannabis from Bedrocan in the Netherlands, a company known for its standardized medical marijuana cultivated in controlled environments. Importantly, Syqe acquires this material through the Dutch Health Ministry, ensuring high-quality standards.
Future Plans and Global Expansion
With 124 employees in Israel and international partners in Malta and Australia, Syqe Medical is positioned for growth. The company is planning to expand into Europe, further broadening access to its innovative cannabis dosing technology.
The SyqeAir Inhaler represents a significant advancement in medical cannabis treatment, promising to improve dosing accuracy and patient outcomes worldwide.