Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Medical Cannabis under Prescription: Children with Epilepsy

03 November 2021 · 10 other contributors · 8,456 words

Opened by Alberto Costa Con South Leicestershire

Responding minister: Maria Caulfield

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Alberto Costa raised concerns about medical cannabis under prescription: children with epilepsy in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about high costs of private medical cannabis prescriptions for children with epilepsy, up to 2,000 a month.
  • Only three NHS prescriptions have been issued since the 2018 law change, causing confusion and hesitancy among prescribers.
  • Alberto Costa urges the Government to use a discretionary fund to cover costs of private prescriptions until regulatory process is completed.

Key requests to Government

I urge the Government to consider covering the costs of private prescriptions for vulnerable children, using the discretionary fund available. I suggest conducting an observational trial or alternative study to enable free access to medical cannabis and improve evidence-based practice. Costa requests the Minister to utilise a discretionary fund to cover the costs of private prescriptions for children with epilepsy, providing a temporary solution until the regulatory process is completed.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Alberto Costa Con South Leicestershire

I am concerned about the high costs families face for private prescriptions of medical cannabis, up to £2,000 a month. Only three prescriptions have been issued on the NHS since the law change in 2018. The guidance from various bodies has created confusion and hesitancy among prescribers. There is also concern that the expert panel set up by NICE does not include expertise on whole-plant extract medical cannabis. Alberto Costa is concerned about the impact of drug-resistant epilepsy on vulnerable children and highlights that many doctors are unwilling to prescribe medicinal cannabis due to its unlicensed status. He mentions specific cases such as Maya and Evelina who benefit from private prescriptions but cannot afford them.

Other contributors (10)
  • Adam Afriyie Con Windsor

    Expressed frustration over the retirement of a consultant who could prescribe cannabis-derived treatments, risking access for children like Jorja Emerson with multiple daily seizures.

  • Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Mr McDonald paid tribute to the hon. Member for South Leicestershire, noting that since 2018 only three NHS prescriptions have been issued for medical cannabis. He highlighted the financial burden on families of up to £2,000 a month to pay privately and urged the Government to remove barriers preventing access to this medication. Stressed that practical evidence from families shows medical cannabis works and urged not to wait for more research while denying necessary treatment.

  • Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

    Asked if there is any other medication in the country for which people have to raise money themselves, despite being legally available. Described Murray Gray's transformation from a constantly ill boy to a happy child due to medicinal cannabis use, questioning why the Government made medicinal cannabis legal without ensuring its benefit for children. Asked the Minister if she would give way, seeking further clarification or response on the issues raised.

  • Hannah Bardell IND Dundas Valley

    Mrs Bardell made a procedural announcement, reminding the Minister that she should conclude her remarks by 5:44 PM to allow for summarising of the debate.

  • Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby

    Pays tribute to constituents campaigning for medical cannabis access, urging the Minister to take immediate steps to help families with children suffering from severe epilepsy. Mentions only three NHS prescriptions written for whole-extract cannabis oil since 2018, while some families raise £2,000 a month privately. Emphasises the impact of the pandemic on these families' finances and stresses the need for NICE guidelines to be enacted.

  • Liz Kendall Lab Leicester West

    Expressed the difficulty parents face when their child has serious epilepsy and highlighted the need for more research, clearer information for patients, and a specialist clinical network to improve access. Emphasised that further steps are needed to support families financially.

  • Mike Penning

    Mr Penning acknowledged the personal experience shared by Mr McDonald and emphasised that the issue is about helping children who may not have survived without medical cannabis. He discussed the careful drafting of legislation in 2015 to ensure it was not left solely to GPs, but instead required referral to a specialist. Asks whether doctors are prescribing off-label drugs like steroids to children but not considering medical cannabis, highlighting a potential discrepancy in treatment approaches. Asked why prescriptions are given freely if it is deemed unsafe, arguing that the inconsistency needs addressing.

  • Patrick Grady Lab Glasgow North

    Agreed with the hon. Member for South Leicestershire, highlighting the cross-party consensus and urgency of the issue. Paid tribute to families and campaigners, especially his constituents John and Laura and their daughter Bláthnaid affected by Aicadri syndrome.

  • Ronnie Cowan SNP East Ayrshire and Arran

    Mr Cowan highlighted the ongoing struggles of parents whose children suffer from epilepsy and could benefit from medical cannabis. He mentioned that only three NHS prescriptions have been issued despite previous promises, and he criticized the lack of response to letters written by Hannah Deacon on behalf of her son Alfie. Mr Cowan also called for changes in regulations allowing GPs to prescribe medical cannabis without needing parliamentary time, stating it would greatly benefit patients suffering from GP conditions such as pain and anxiety. Called for re-categorising cannabis from schedule 2 to schedule 4 to facilitate medical research.

  • Tahir Ali Lab Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley

    Noted that the cost of medicinal cannabis for children ranges from £800 to £2,000, highlighting the financial burden on families who cannot afford it.

Government Response

Maria Caulfield

The Government recognises the strength of feeling on this issue and acknowledges that doctors are unwilling to prescribe medicinal cannabis due to its unlicensed status. The Minister explains that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) requires a robust evidence base for licensing medicines, which includes research into adverse events and potential side effects. She notes that there are ongoing clinical trials, including randomised control trials, to gather this necessary data. The Government is committed to using every lever possible to speed up the research and licensing process to ensure doctors feel confident in prescribing medicinal cannabis.

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