When the UK government shifted cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, it ignited hope among patients and advocates nationwide. This move promised the legalization of medical cannabis, offering a lifeline to some of the UK's most vulnerable individuals, granting them access to much-needed medicine through legitimate channels. However, as we approach the five-year mark since this change, the reality we confront today bears little resemblance to the optimistic vision many held.
The accessibility of medical cannabis remains a challenge for numerous individuals, and several factors contribute to this issue. Yet, the foremost obstacle casting a shadow over progress is unquestionably the strict regulations governing the prescription of cannabis-based medicines. Presently, general practitioners (GPs) find themselves incapable of prescribing medical cannabis. But what's the rationale behind this restriction? And might there be hope for a transformation in the future?
Empowering Patients: The Landscape of Medical Cannabis Prescriptions in the UK
While medical cannabis theoretically holds potential for treating a wide range of conditions supported by evidence, the pathway to prescription approval follows a stringent process. Specialized clinicians, registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), exclusively hold the authority to approve such prescriptions. General Practitioners (GPs) can contribute to the prescription process only through shared care agreements.
Obtaining a medical cannabis prescription through the National Health Service (NHS) remains an exceptional occurrence, rendering it a rare privilege for patients. In the majority of instances, private clinics are the source of prescriptions, albeit at a cost to the patient. Despite efforts to mitigate expenses through various assistance programs, a significant portion of patients still grapple with the financial hurdles of accessing potentially life-altering medication.
The UK's Medical Cannabis Patient Count: Uncovering the Numbers
Accurately pinpointing the exact count of approved medical cannabis patients proves to be a challenging endeavour. What remains evident, however, is the consistent upward trajectory in the number of patients securing medical cannabis prescriptions over the past four and a half years. Current estimates posit that the UK hosts a medical cannabis patient population ranging between 21,000 to 32,000. Yet, these figures are just the tip of the iceberg.
Remarkably, approximately 1.8 million patients continue to rely on the so-called 'illicit' market as their primary source for medicinal cannabis. This includes individuals who resort to non-medical-grade cannabis to manage conditions for which prescription recommendations exist, such as treatment-resistant epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Many experts advocate for broadening the prescription authority to encompass both GPs and specialist clinicians, with a new campaign fervently pushing for this transformative change.
Championing Patient Well-Being: The Protect Our Patients Initiative
In an impactful collaboration, the Protect Our Patients campaign, spearheaded by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC), the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS), Volteface, and Maple Tree Consultants, is fervently advocating for a pivotal change in medical cannabis prescribing regulations. Their call to action is clear: grant General Practitioners (GPs) the same prescribing authority as specialist consultants for cannabis-based medicines. With a formidable network of over 36,000 GPs spanning the UK, the campaign contends that such a shift would unlock more significant accessibility to medical cannabis, substantiated by compelling evidence.
Interestingly, GPs on the Channel Islands already possess the ability to initiate medical cannabis prescriptions for their patients. Notably, this change has catalysed a remarkable surge in medical cannabis patient numbers, surpassing the growth rate on the mainland UK.
Across the globe, General Practitioners in Australia enjoy the privilege of prescribing cannabis-based medicines, resulting in an astonishing surge of over 350,000 medical cannabis approvals since 2019. To put this into perspective, the UK boasts a population more than twice the size of Australia's.
The Protect Our Patients campaign serves as a beacon of hope for patients seeking medical cannabis treatment, urging the UK government to level the playing field and pave the way for enhanced access to this vital form of therapy.
Exploring GP Willingness: Embracing Medical Cannabis Prescriptions?
The clamour for GPs to embrace medical cannabis prescribing isn't confined to patients and advocates alone; it resonates within the medical community as well. A revealing 2021 survey conducted by the Primary Care Cannabis Network (PCCN) shines a spotlight on this sentiment. Among a representative sample of 1,000 practicing UK GPs, a resounding 73% expressed open-mindedness toward prescribing cannabis to their patients. Moreover, more than two-thirds of these doctors disclosed that their patients inquire about medical cannabis roughly every six months.
However, while the appetite for medical cannabis exists among GPs, some reservations persist. The same survey unveiled that fewer than one-quarter of respondents are presently inclined to undertake the responsibility of prescribing and supervising medical cannabis treatment. The underlying reason likely stems from a dearth of education and training on medical cannabis and the endocannabinoid system within the UK medical community, a concern underscored by many participants.
Another cause for GP hesitancy is the limited availability of licensed medical cannabis products in the UK. Presently, only three cannabis-based medicines hold licenses: Sativex, Epidyolex, and Nabilone. Meanwhile, numerous unlicensed medicines, including whole flower products, are prescribed at private clinics. To extend the benefits of medical cannabis legalization to a broader spectrum of patients in the UK, comprehensive efforts to enhance accessibility are urgently needed.
Exploring the Role of GPs in UK Medical Cannabis Prescriptions
As revealed in a recent Cannabis Industry Council report, the NHS grapples with an escalating waiting list, tallying a daunting 7.4 million individuals, a figure projected to soar to 10 million by 2024. This relentless surge exerts immense pressure on the NHS, leaving patients to bear the brunt of the crisis. Alarmingly, the NHS estimates that a substantial 34% of UK adults endure chronic pain, implying a substantial portion of the waiting list comprises pain-afflicted individuals destined for potentially addictive opioid prescriptions. Empowering GPs to prescribe cannabis emerges as a promising remedy, not only to alleviate this mounting backlog but also to furnish an affordable alternative treatment, thereby mitigating the peril of opioid dependencies. This, in turn, lightens the burden on an already overstretched healthcare system.
Join the movement. The Protect Our Patients campaign beckons supporters to engage and make a difference. Explore their website for insights on how you can contribute.
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