The use of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain and mental health conditions has seen a significant rise, according to reports. Private cannabis clinics, like Mamedica in Westminster, have seen a tenfold increase in patients, up from 250 to 2,750 due to “insufficient” treatments provided by the NHS. A majority of patients are taking medical cannabis to manage psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression, while 40% are using the drug for chronic pain.
The government, however, insists there is a need for further evidence of the drug’s effectiveness before a wider rollout. In a statement, the Department for Health and Social Care stated “licensed cannabis-based medicines are routinely funded by the NHS where there is clear evidence of their quality, safety and effectiveness”. The department said most products on the market are unlicensed medicines which lack clinical guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, demonstrating the need for more research before routine prescribing and funding decisions.
For example, in the case of chronic pain sufferer Julie Gould who uses medical cannabis oil for pain relief, the cost for the drug has doubled to £350 since 2020, which she says makes it too expensive for most people, especially if they need regular doses. The MS Society highlights the “unacceptable postcode lottery” for cannabis-based spray Sativex, used to treat MS spasms, which is licensed for NHS prescription.
Medical cannabis was only legalised in 2018 after a high-profile campaign to make it available to children with severe epilepsy. Since then, NHS or private specialist doctors have been able to prescribe medical cannabis. However, few NHS patients have so far been prescribed the drug, due to limited evidence of its effectiveness and the cost of clinical trials. Only a few licensed medical cannabis products are available in the UK for use on the NHS, including those designed for severe epilepsy, chemotherapy-related nausea and muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis. Unlicensed products can be prescribed by private specialists, but at high cost to patients.
Despite the benefits some patients report about medical cannabis, including instant pain relief that halts the nerve pain multiple sclerosis patients experience, some people still view it negatively. The stigma surrounding medical cannabis-use is one reason it has not become more widely available on the NHS in the UK. Ms Gould, whose condition caused her extensive harm, wants the drug to be “heavily subsidised”, to make it more cost-effective for individuals who need it
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