Health
The impact of medical cannabis on the UK
In 2018, medical cannabis became legal in the UK. Since then, specialist doctors and clinics have been legally allowed to prescribe cannabis-based medicines to their patients. Cannabis-based products are typically prescribed to those with conditions such as severe epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), or vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy side effects.
Six years on from its legalisation, what impact has medical cannabis had in the UK, regarding both patients and the economy?
Rise in private cannabis clinics
Cannabis products require licensing before they can be prescribed. As licensing is a lengthy process, there aren’t many cannabis products available on the NHS. With limited availability, getting an NHS prescription can be difficult and it’s rare that people receive it.
Since getting a prescription on the NHS is so difficult to obtain, people have turned to private clinics to get medical cannabis in the UK. Private cannabis clinics can legally prescribe unlicensed cannabis products, making it much easier for patients to access them. However, private prescriptions are considerably more costly than those on the NHS.
The legalisation hasn’t just impacted individual patients, but has also had an effect on the overall economy.
Improved economy
One study found that prescribing cannabis in the UK to those with chronic pain could improve the UK economy by £5.45 billion each year. Those struggling to work because of their condition could have the amount of time taken off work reduced by 27 hours, substantially increasing the patient’s individual earnings.
How big is the UK’s medical cannabis industry?
In 2023, the UK’s medical cannabis market was worth $239 million. The market is projected to increase significantly in the next few years and is expected to reach over $600 million by 2027.
The future of cannabis in the UK
Currently, medical cannabis is the only form of legal marijuana use in the UK and is typically prescribed through private clinics. There is considerable divide regarding the complete legalisation of cannabis in the UK. Some believe it could lead to significant drug misuse problems across the country, whilst others see the economic benefits, with reports showing HM Treasury could earn between £1 and £3.5 billion each year and generate between 10,000 and 41,000 jobs.
Industry experts and numerous members of parliament do believe cannabis could become fully legalised within the next five to ten years. This is under the provision that more evidence is gathered on its medical benefits, there is significant public support for legalisation, and appropriate regulations for the production, supply, export, and possession of cannabis are put in place.
Health
Leading pharmacies demand tougher regulation on online sale of weight-loss jabs
PHARMACIES are calling for stricter regulation of online sales of weight-loss injections, warning of risks to patient safety amid predictions of a surge in demand this year.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), representing independent community pharmacies, has urged the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to require more thorough consultations with patients before dispensing weight-loss injections and other high-risk medications online.
The NPA cautioned that existing regulations allow medicines to be supplied without adequate consultation or access to patient records, leaving patients vulnerable. They called for a mandatory two-way consultation process to ensure prescribers have a full understanding of patients’ medical histories before issuing such treatments.
Greater safeguards needed
Responding to draft GPhC guidelines, the NPA criticised the proposed safeguards, stating they “still leave the door open for medicines to be prescribed and supplied without appropriate two-way patient consultation or access to a full clinical picture, particularly with high-risk medicines.”
The association recommended prescribers engage in direct dialogue with patients—either in person or via telephone—before offering weight-loss medications such as Mounjaro injections. The NPA also stressed the importance of obtaining comprehensive medical histories, rather than relying solely on online questionnaires.
Nick Kaye, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said:
“Obesity is one of the biggest challenges facing our country, and pharmacies want to play their part in helping patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
“Weight-loss injections can be effective when prescribed as part of a carefully managed programme, but the current regulations allow some patients to access these medications inappropriately, without proper consultation or examination of medical records.”
Addressing rising demand
The call for tighter regulations comes as demand for weight-loss treatments is expected to rise, with the government planning to expand the rollout of such medications. Many pharmacies already dispense weight-loss treatments or include them in private weight-loss programmes, emphasising a need for best practices to prioritise patient safety.
The NPA highlighted cases of patients who had been inappropriately prescribed weight-loss injections, including individuals with eating disorders or those with body mass indexes (BMI) outside the licensed range. Such cases increase the risk of severe adverse effects.
Kaye added:
“Medicines are not like ordinary goods for sale; they must be handled with great care because they have the power to harm as well as to heal. We urge the GPhC to make a full consultation compulsory for high-risk medicines and ensure supply is prioritised for those with the greatest clinical need, including those with type 2 diabetes.”
Warning against unregulated sellers
The NPA and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have also warned against purchasing weight-loss injections from unregulated sources, such as beauty salons or social media platforms. Counterfeit medications from these suppliers pose significant health risks.
The NPA advised patients to consult a pharmacist if they are unsure about weight-loss treatments, ensuring they receive safe and effective care as part of a programme to achieve sustainable lifestyle changes.
Health
New Chief Medical Officer for Wales appointed
PROFESSOR Isabel Oliver has been named the new Chief Medical Officer for Wales, bringing a wealth of experience to the role.
Prof. Oliver joins the Welsh Government from her position as Director General of Science and Research and Chief Scientific Officer at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). She will provide clinical leadership and offer independent professional advice to the Welsh Government on health and public health matters. Her role includes tackling health inequalities and leading efforts to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes across Wales.
Having started her career in acute hospital medicine in the West Midlands and South West England, Prof. Oliver transitioned to public health. She previously served as Director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England (PHE) and is co-director of the National Institute for Health Research’s Health Protection Research Unit on Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol. She is also an honorary professor at University College London.
Cabinet Secretary’s Welcome
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, praised the appointment, saying:
“Professor Oliver brings a wealth of experience to Wales after working at a senior level in public health in the UK, and I look forward to working with her.
“I’m delighted she has joined us as we work to improve health and wellbeing, and I’d like to offer her a warm welcome to Wales.”
Excited for the Challenge
Prof. Oliver expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating:
“It is an honour to be appointed as the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, and I am very excited to work with the dedicated health professionals and communities across Wales to create a healthier Wales and safeguard our NHS.
“Today, we face challenges from our ageing population, inequalities, and global factors such as climate change. For someone like me, with a great passion for health and wellbeing, Wales offers unique opportunities to secure major improvements in public health and health services, thanks to innovative policies and effective collaboration between sectors. It will be my privilege to serve the people of Wales to secure healthy, resilient, and prosperous communities.”
Prof. Oliver, a keen runner like her predecessor, is set to participate in the Newport Marathon later this year. She succeeds Sir Dr. Frank Atherton, who steps down at the end of January.
Contact Details:
William Davies
0300 0258 788
william.davies@gov.wales
Let me know if further tweaks are needed!
Health
New Year, same waiting list woes, for people with arthritis in Wales
VERSUS ARTHRITIS has expressed concern over the latest NHS Wales waiting time figures, highlighting the persistent struggles faced by those awaiting orthopaedic surgery. The charity, which supports people living with arthritis across the UK, called for urgent action from NHS Wales and the Welsh Government to tackle the staggering number of delayed procedures.
Speaking to The Herald, Mary Cowern, Head of Wales at Cymru Versus Arthritis, said: “A new year but the same disappointing news for people with arthritis waiting for orthopaedic surgery in Wales. Though there has been a small decrease in overall Trauma and Orthopaedic (T&O) figures, the number of people waiting over a year has risen.
“NHS Wales remains in uncharted territory, and it’s people with arthritis waiting for surgery who are again paying the price – in pain and losing their mobility and independence.”
Alarming statistics
The latest Trauma and Orthopaedic waiting list figures, covering November 2024, paint a grim picture:
- 102,938 people were waiting for T&O treatment in Wales – a 1% decrease from October 2024.
- 59,828 people (58%) had been waiting longer than 26 weeks, compared to 15,323 people in 2019.
- 47,797 people (46%) had been waiting over 36 weeks, a stark rise from 6,570 people in 2019.
- 32,137 people (31%) had been waiting over a year for treatment, up from just 2,473 in 2019.
- 5,106 people (5%) had been waiting over two years – compared to a mere 76 people in 2019.
These figures reflect a system struggling to recover despite promises of collaboration between NHS Wales and NHS England.
Cross-border collaboration stalled
Ms. Cowern also addressed the ongoing debate around cross-border healthcare. The BMA in Wales recently criticised excessive bureaucracy, which has hindered efforts to streamline patient referrals to NHS England.
“We still await further details on how the cross-border partnership will work,” said Ms. Cowern. “The chaos caused by red tape and bureaucracy needs to be resolved. People with arthritis shouldn’t suffer from systemic failings years on end.”
Powys Teaching Health Board has been a focal point of this issue, with many patients unable to access timely care. Ms. Cowern added:
“The goal of recovery shouldn’t drag us back to pre-pandemic levels. The ambition should be to create something better, with a clear roadmap and realistic targets. All people with arthritis awaiting treatment deserve better.”
A widespread crisis
Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions affect over 980,000 people in Wales and more than 20 million across the UK. These conditions are a leading cause of persistent pain and disability.
To even join the waiting list for procedures like hip or knee replacements, individuals must already experience significant daily pain, often impacting their ability to work and live independently. Waiting further exacerbates these challenges.
Versus Arthritis is the UK’s largest arthritis charity, dedicated to improving the lives of those living with the condition. Through research, campaigning, and support, the charity says it aims to ensure everyone with arthritis has access to the treatments they need, along with the hope of a cure.
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