The use of privately prescribed unlicensed cannabis-based medicines in the UK has seen a significant uptick between November 2018 and January 2022. This surge can be attributed to the growing recognition of the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis, coupled with a changing legal landscape and shifting societal attitudes towards the plant and its derivatives. In November 2018, the law in the UK changed, allowing specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based medicines under certain circumstances. This change in legislation opened the door for the use of medicinal cannabis, although on a very restricted basis, leading to a rise in private prescriptions as patients sought treatment options outside of the NHS’s limited offerings. The number of prescriptions issued for unlicensed cannabis-based medicines has since been rising steadily. The exact numbers are hard to ascertain due to patient confidentiality and the private nature of these prescriptions. However, the upward trend is undeniable, with anecdotal evidence and reports from private clinics indicating a rapid growth in demand. Much of the increase can be attributed to patients with conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis, for whom conventional treatments have failed or caused severe side effects. These patients often turn to cannabis-based medicines as a last resort, seeking relief from their debilitating symptoms. Despite the growing demand, access to cannabis-based treatment remains a significant issue. Many patients struggle to afford the high costs associated with private prescriptions, and the NHS’s stringent criteria mean that very few patients qualify for publicly funded treatment. There have been calls for broader access to medicinal cannabis, with campaigners arguing that the current system is inadequate and leaves many patients suffering unnecessarily. Despite these challenges, the rise in private prescriptions demonstrates a growing acceptance of cannabis-based medicines and their potential role in healthcare. As the medical community continues to explore the therapeutic potentials of cannabis, it is anticipated that the number of privately prescribed, unlicensed cannabis-based medicines in the UK will continue to rise. However, for the foreseeable future, the access to these treatments is likely to remain limited to those who can afford private prescriptions or meet the very specific criteria for NHS prescriptions.

According to a report by the UK government, the number of privately prescribed unlicensed cannabis-based medicines in the UK has been growing rapidly. Between November 2018 and January 2022, there were 47,525 such prescriptions. However, between November 2018 and July 2022, this number has risen significantly to 89,239¹. This suggests that a further 41,525 private unlicensed prescriptions were issued during that time. The figures still point to significant and likely accelerating growth in private unlicensed prescriptions in the UK¹.

In addition to unlicensed prescriptions, licensed private prescriptions have also shown growth. Between January 2018 and April 2022, licensed prescriptions stood at 133. Between November 2018 and October 2022, there were 140, meaning there were seven more prescriptions in a period four months shorter¹. Currently, there are three licensed cannabis medicines available in the UK, including Nabilone, Sativex, and Epidyolex, with both of the latter two drugs being produced by GW Pharmaceuticals, now owned by Jazz Pharmaceuticals¹.

Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since November 2018, when prescribed by a specialist doctor. However, cannabis is not yet widely available on the NHS. A number of clinics are prescribing privately, both remotely and in person, for a variety of conditions². The UK government has taken steps to make it easier for patients to access medical cannabis, such as reimbursing patients for the cost of medical cannabis³.

I hope this information helps!

Learn more:

1. businessofcannabis.com2. cannabishealthnews.co.uk3. bbc.co.uk4. greenbox.co.uk5. cannigma.com