Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 65
65
Rejected
Paragraph: 233
Lack of NHS access to cannabis-based medicinal products for patients.
Conclusion
We support cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) where there is an evidence base that it can be an effective form of treatment for managing conditions or symptoms. We welcome the ACMD conducting a further assessment of CBPMs following on from its 2020 report. However, we are concerned that there is currently a lack of access on the NHS for patients with a genuine medical need. Access continues to be a problem despite the high-profile cases of Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley—two children with severe and rare forms of epilepsy who have received medical cannabis to treat their conditions.
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejects the committee's underlying sentiment for greater access to unlicensed CBPMs, stating that prescribing medicinal cannabis is a clinical decision, not a matter for government policy. It maintains commitment to an evidence-based approach, encouraging research and establishing clinical trials to build the necessary evidence.
Paragraph Reference:
233
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government does not accept this recommendation. Whether to prescribe medicinal cannabis, or any other drug, is a clinical decision and not a matter for Government policy. Licensed cannabis-based medicines are routinely available and funded on the NHS. However, for unlicensed cannabis-based medicines, clinical guidelines from the NICE demonstrate a clear need for more evidence to support routine prescribing and funding decisions. Until that evidence base is built, clinicians will remain reticent to prescribe and no decision can be made by the NHS on routine funding. Clinicians can apply for NHS funding in exceptional clinical circumstances, these requests are assessed by an independent panel made up of doctors, nurses, public health experts, pharmacists, NHS England representatives and lay members. The Government remains committed to taking an evidence-based approach to unlicensed cannabis-based medicines. That is why we continue to encourage manufacturers of unlicensed products to conduct research – our medicines regulator and the National Institute for Health and Care Research can offer them scientific and research advice if they do. Furthermore, we are working with regulatory, research and NHS partners to establish clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of these products.