What Illness Qualifies for Medical Cannabis in the UK?
In recent years, the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK has opened new avenues for patients seeking alternative treatments for various conditions. However, navigating the landscape of medical cannabis qualifications can be complex. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the qualifying conditions, criteria for prescribing cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs), and the process of accessing medical cannabis on the NHS.
Qualifying Conditions under the UK Cannabis Act
The UK Cannabis Act outlines specific conditions for which medical cannabis can be prescribed. To qualify, patients must be diagnosed by a specialist doctor in neurology, pain management, palliative care, psychiatry, or oncology. The qualifying conditions include spasticity due to multiple sclerosis, intractable nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, severe treatment-resistant epilepsy, severe chronic pain, muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis, and other conditions where potential benefits are identified by the specialist.
Determining medical Cannabis eligibility is imperative, particularly when patients have exhibited non-responsiveness to traditional treatments or demonstrated intolerance to alternative therapies. This assessment becomes crucial to explore medical cannabis as a viable option when conventional approaches prove ineffective in addressing the patient’s specific condition.
Criteria for Prescribing Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products
The criteria for prescribing CBMPs are outlined in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. To qualify for a prescription, patients must have a severe, long-term clinical need that cannot be met by existing treatments. The prescribed medication should be the most suitable option, following UK clinical guidelines.
Clinicians must carefully weigh the risks associated with CBMPs, considering their potential for misuse, and ensure that the benefits to the patient outweigh these risks. This emphasises the importance of a thorough assessment by medical professionals before medical cannabis is prescribed.
Accessing Medical Cannabis on the NHS
The NHS provides access to medical cannabis through the ‘specials’ system. Doctors can prescribe cannabis-based medicines if they are deemed appropriate for the patient’s condition. To be eligible, patients must have a condition that does not respond to conventional treatments, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting.
The NHS reported that England dispensed only “18 prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products” in 2019. The ‘Safer Management of Controlled Drugs‘ report by the regulator, released on July 21, 2020, revealed that during 2019, 259 items of CBMP had been prescribed privately, whereas only 18 items were prescribed through the NHS, accounting for 6.5% of the total CBMP prescriptions.
Is cannabinoid treatment available through the NHS?
While medical cannabis is legal in the UK, obtaining it can be challenging, leaving many individuals curious about its availability through the NHS. In short, yes, it is possible to access medical cannabis through the NHS.
Typically, NHS-provided treatment with medical cannabis is reserved for extremely severe cases, such as rare epilepsy instances, chemotherapy-induced nausea, or specific cases of muscle stiffness linked to multiple sclerosis. For those interested in exploring medical cannabis, the simplest route to obtaining a prescription is often through self-referral to a private clinic.
Guidance and Advice for Prescribing Decisions:
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has played a significant role in providing guidance for prescribing medical cannabis. Technology appraisals and guidelines cover conditions such as chronic pain, intractable nausea and vomiting, spasticity, and severe treatment-resistant epilepsy.
NICE has issued a comprehensive guideline specifically addressing the prescription of cannabis-based medicinal products for medicinal use. This guideline provides detailed recommendations for the prescribing medical cannabis of such products to individuals experiencing intractable nausea and vomiting, chronic pain, spasticity, and severe treatment-resistant epilepsy. This authoritative guidance from NICE serves as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals navigating the landscape of medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK.
Medical Cannabis experts
For over two decades, Professor Mike Barnes, a Consultant Neurologist and expert in medical cannabis, has been a leading figure in the UK’s medical cannabis field
In this seminar, Professor Barnes guides us through the process of prescribing medical cannabis within the current regulations in the UK and discusses what the future of prescribing may look like. The year 2020 brought significant changes, turning our idea of ‘normal’ into the ‘new normal,’ affecting how prescriptions are handled in the UK. It’s crucial to grasp the current situation more than ever.
Professor Barnes, with a background in neurology and extensive experience in multiple sclerosis and brain injury, collaborated with GW Pharma in 2000 to develop Sativex, the first cannabis-based medicine. In 2016, he authored the Barnes Report for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy Reform, a document that played a role in the eventual change of laws related to medical cannabis.
Conclusion
Medical cannabis has become a legal option for treating various conditions in the UK, thanks to the Cannabis Act. While the list of qualifying conditions is currently specific, ongoing research may lead to the inclusion of more illnesses in the future. Patients are advised to consult with medical professionals to explore whether medical cannabis is a viable option for their specific medical condition, ensuring a personalised and informed approach to treatment decisions.
Find out how CPGUK can support you getting affordable medical cannabis using this form below.