In the UK, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Medical Cannabis under Prescription has made a number of recommendations to the nation’s government. The report highlights the urgent need for reform to unlock the full potential of the UK Medical Cannabis industry and improve patient access.
The Group was founded in July 2018 to provide a cross-party forum for parliamentarians to engage with clinicians, patients, researchers, and industry experts on UK Medical Cannabis access and regulation. The APPG has since been a central voice in shaping the debate over cannabis-based medicines and their role in modern healthcare.
While it has been seven years since UK Medical Cannabis was legalized, the group says the industry is still being held back by red tape and restrictive guidance. Only six National Health Service (NHS)-funded prescriptions for full-spectrum medicines have been issued in that time, even though around 75,000 people have been prescribed cannabis through private clinics.
“This costs an average of about £300 per month plus consultation fees, so over £4,000 per year, which is simply not affordable for most people,” says the APPG. Furthermore, the group claims that 1.4 million people are still relying on illicit cannabis for medical use, despite the availability of legal UK Medical Cannabis options.
“Without urgent reform, we will continue to see patients suffer and the UK will lose a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a world-leading UK Medical Cannabis industry,” states the APPG. “We know that medical cannabis is already saving lives and reducing healthcare costs in other countries, and we know the evidence base supporting it is strong and growing.”
In its report, the APPG made several key recommendations related to UK Medical Cannabis policy, including:
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Policy reform to support patient access and clinician confidence.
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Rebuilding National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on real-world evidence.
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Supporting UK producers and exports to secure economic gains.
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Commissioning a review across the UK Medical Cannabis industry to remove duplication and regulatory friction.
On the patient side, if cannabis were provided to chronic pain patients instead of other treatments, potential healthcare savings could exceed £23.6 billion. Although medical cannabis may not be suitable for all patients, these figures show the vast economic and healthcare opportunity available through UK Medical Cannabis reform.
“We urgently need to explore ways to improve patient access and develop an industry which will not only benefit millions of patients but also contribute significantly to the UK economy,” says the report summary.
The APPG’s findings make one thing clear: the time for UK Medical Cannabis reform is now both for patients in need and for the nation’s economic growth.
