In November 2018, the UK government reclassified cannabis-based medicines, opening the door for NHS prescribing. Eight years later, the number of NHS prescriptions remains vanishingly small. By contrast, tens of thousands of patients are accessing treatment through private clinics at significant personal cost.
The numbers
Official data shows that fewer than 10 NHS prescriptions for cannabis-based medicines are issued per quarter. Meanwhile, the private sector is treating an estimated 30,000+ patients. The gap between what the law permits and what the NHS delivers has become one of the defining issues in UK medical cannabis policy.
Why so few?
The reasons are complex but well-understood. Most clinicians lack training in cannabis-based medicines. There are no NICE-approved treatment pathways for most conditions. And institutional caution means that even where evidence exists, the default position remains 'not to prescribe.'
What needs to happen
Patient advocacy groups are calling for a national review of NHS cannabis prescribing, mandatory training for clinicians, and clear commissioning guidelines. Without these changes, the two-tier system of private access and NHS exclusion will continue.
