Cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans

Change in legislation from 1st November 2018 widens the access to cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans in England, Scotland and Wales. 

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published guidance on the supply, manufacture, importation and distribution of unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use in 'specials' , NHS England, Scottish Government and Welsh Government have also published guidance.

The MHRA guidance includes useful information for pharmacists involved in the supply, manufacture, importation and distribution of unlicensed cannabis-based products. It includes a supply chain checklist, which can be used as guidance by pharmacists carrying out final checks, dispensing and administering unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use. The guidance also contains a flow chart for the process of prescribing, supplying and importing unlicensed cannabis-based medicinal products. 

The NHS England guidance to clinicians, Scottish Government guidance on cannabis-based products for medicinal use and Welsh Government health professional letter all include background around the legislative changes for cannabis-based products for medicinal use, prescribing, monitoring, types of products, current licensing and signposts to interim clinical guidelines in place for cannabis-based products for medicinal use.