Acceptance Criteria

In the UK, suitable patients are deemed eligible for medical cannabis treatments if they meet the appropriate acceptance criteria.

 

What defines acceptance criteria in the UK?

 

Acceptance criteria involve regulatory approval, patient eligibility, and product quality, as established by UK health authorities like the MHRA and NICE.

For patients, these criteria include having a suitable health condition that is known to positively benefit from cannabis-based treatments, and having a clinical need that has been previously unmet by licensed or conventional pharmaceutical options. 

 

Does the NHS and private cannabis clinics have different acceptance criteria in the UK?

 

Yes, the acceptance criteria does differ between the NHS and private cannabis clinics in the UK. While both follow the guidelines set by health authorities, such as the MHRA and NICE, their approach has certain differences.

Through the NHS, medical cannabis is only prescribed for two rare forms of epilepsy, muscle spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis, and nausea caused by cancer treatments.

Private cannabis clinics, like Releaf, have a broader range of acceptance criteria. Specialists that are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and working in a private clinic have the authority to prescribe medical cannabis for a much wider range of conditions. It is up to the discretion of the physician to determine if medical cannabis is the best course of treatment for their patient.

 

What is the easiest way to find out if you are eligible for medical cannabis in the UK?

 

If you are suffering from a condition that you think may be helped by medical cannabis, but is not one of the conditions covered by the NHS, reach out to Releaf at any time. Our team of patient support staff and specialists can help to determine if medical cannabis is a suitable treatment option for you.

 

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