From stories making mainstream headlines in the UK, to regulatory developments across the globe, catch up on the latest news in the medical cannabis sector with Maple Tree's monthly digest. Sign up at the bottom of the page to receive in your inbox every month.
⤴️ CQC reports major increase in UK medical cannabis prescriptions—with new guidance for providers
In July the Care Quality Commission (CQC) reported a considerable 118% increase in prescriptions of unlicensed cannabis-based medicines between 2021 and 2023, with numbers continuing to rise by at least 100% annually. The Safer Management of Controlled Drugs report, published in July, also highlights a number of issues with current prescribing of cannabis-based medicines, suggesting that a ‘multi-agency review’ of the impact of the 2018 law change would be ‘beneficial’.
The regulator advised that providers, including clinics and pharmacies, should consider the following:
ensuring the product has been prescribed
how to support patients with ongoing supplies, if required
safe storage, records and appropriate authorised access, as with other Schedule 2 controlled drugs
appropriate training for staff if they are required to support with administration
the position on vaping, and the possible need to obtain prescribed alternatives where people are not able to vape
whether a risk assessment is required.
📋 Best Practice Guidelines urged amid growing regulatory scrutiny
As the industry looks set to face increased scrutiny from regulators, including the CQC and the MHRA, Professor Mike Barnes has also urged clinics to follow best practice guidelines. The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society recently published the Good Practice Guide for the prescribing of cannabis-based medicines. Among other guidelines, it recommends that any prescriptions of more than 2g of cannabis per day and products containing levels of higher than 22% THC should be approved by a panel of peers.
The MCCS also recommends that producers avoid using ‘recreational’ names such as Girl Scout Cookies and Gorilla Glue, as they ‘do not convey useful information about the medical value of the plant’. Download the Good Practice Guide here.
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s medical cannabis law comes into force
The legalisation of medical cannabis, passed by Ukrainian parliament in December 2023, officially came into force on 16 August. However, local sources say that the Ministry of Health has still not agreed on the list of conditions for which it can be prescribed.
A draft version of the list which is awaiting approval is reported to include oncology, chronic pain, nausea related to chemotherapy, Alzheimer's disease, drug-resistant epilepsy and ‘some other diseases’. But, notably, the list does not include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), despite President Zelensky and the Health Minister pushing the legalisation of medical cannabis to help the country deal with the trauma of the ongoing Russian war.
🇩🇪 Germany proposes overhaul to prescription process
Germany’s Federal Joint Committee (G-BA ) has approved proposals that would fundamentally change the process by which doctors can prescribe medical cannabis. Under the new directive, an estimated more than 70% of German practising physicians will be able prescribe reimbursed medical cannabis without the prior approval of the statutory health insurance companies. Currently only around 20% of prescriptions are reimbursed by insurance companies, with the majority self-funded, with the new proposals welcome news for patients who struggle to afford private prescriptions.
🇵🇱 Poland may tighten medical cannabis regulations
In contrast, the Polish government is considering introducing stricter controls on the prescription of medical cannabis. Currently, patients in Poland can obtain medical cannabis through filling out an online questionnaire, which has seen a sharp increase in the number of prescriptions. According to the Ministry of Health’s plans, a primary care physician will only be able to issue prescriptions during an online consultation if the prescription is for continuation of treatment; for up to three months; and the patient can confirm his/her identity. In other cases a face-to-face appointment will be required. However, some in the medical community have expressed concern that the changes may be ‘too rigorous’.
🇫🇷 France may make medical cannabis available on prescription from 2025
The French medical cannabis trial is said to have “overwhelmingly positive” early results, according to local reports. The pilot was expanded earlier this year until the end of 2024 and has involved 3,000 patients since its launch in 2021. The ANSM (the national agency for the safety of medicines and health products) has since announced that treatments will be made available in 2025. Mado Gilanton, a member of the Temporary scientific committee to monitor experiments with cannabis for medical use (CST), told The Connexion that 60% of participants in the trial found the use of medical cannabis beneficial in relieving their symptoms.
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