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The medical cannabis sector has seen a steady upward trend since the medical use of cannabis was legalised in the United Kingdom (UK) in November 2018. Despite this legislation (recreational remains illegal), the parameters for prescribing are somewhat narrow in that it must be prescribed by a registered specialist doctor, and only in respect of patients with specific conditions.
MP David Mundell last week urged ministers to have a “much more coordinated and focused approach” in supporting the medical cannabis sector, which he believes is “an industry of the future”. He has commented on the difficulties in getting NHS prescriptions for medical cannabis, and considers that the UK needs to have consultants who are experts in the use of medical cannabis to drive progression forward.
The matter was raised at a Westminster Hall debate 20 April 2023. The debate highlighted the little progress made since the change of law in 2018, in ensuring that medicinal cannabis products are made available to patients. Mr Mundell put this in part down to “the over-onerous process for being licensed”, and expressed concern that the difficulty in getting medical cannabis prescribed on the NHS, is forcing those who are desperate to illegal markets, which in turn causes concerns around patient safety – we agree with this sentiment. Whilst there must of course be appropriate regulatory oversight of the sector, the current process is expensive, time-consuming and stringent.
To assist with the licensing process and the current regulatory barriers, calls were made for the Government to better coordinate the way in which regulation is applied.
Supporting the debate, Ronnie Cowan MP said he welcomes “everything and anything that encourages the provision of medical cannabis”, and urged the UK Government to “be proactive in funding and promoting the growth of the feedstock, the academic research and the production of the medicines, in providing and promoting the necessary training for GPs to allow them to prescribe, and in ensuring that the legal framework exists to allow those in the medical profession to carry out their duties, while protecting them and their patients”.
In response to the points raised in the debate, health minister, Will Quince, said he is committed to “galvanising research in this area” as it is “key to unlocking so much of this debate and the prospect of a future where more licensed cannabis-based products that are proven safe and effective can be prescribed on our NHS.” He shares concerns with clinicians however, over the “limited evidence on the safety and efficacy of the unlicensed cannabis-based products”, but stressed that progress is being made; and confirmed that he is “absolutely committed to better determine why the cannabis industry is not, in the way that so many other pharmaceutical companies do, investing in the routine research required to prove that its products are safe and effective.”
As such, whilst the sector has come a long way in recent years, there is still some way to go, particularly with regard to research and clinical trials to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of cannabis-based medicinal products, and in better supporting and engaging with clinicians to enable them to feel comfortable prescribing these products.
What are your views on the medical cannabis space?
If you have any questions or require advice in this area, please contact a member of our team.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have any questions or concerns about the content covered in this blog, please contact Shannett Thompson or any member of our regulatory team.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shannett Thompson is a Partner in the Regulatory Team having trained in the NHS and commenced her career exclusively defending doctors. She provides regulatory advice predominantly in the health and social care and education sectors. Shannett has vast experience advising regulated individuals, businesses such as clinics and care homes and students in respect of disciplinary investigations.
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