A new independent platform linking patients with cannabis clinicians, aims to improve access to prescriptions in the UK.
The Cannabis Directory, which has been founded by GP Dr Leon Barron, aims to remove ‘unnecessary bureaucracy’ in the cannabis sector with a streamlined system which allows patients and clinicians to connect with each other.
The platform’s objective is to solve some of the current challenges holding back prescribing in the UK, by bringing together trusted, expert clinicians and patients through an independent process.
Despite medical cannabis being legal in the UK for four years, some commentators believe the sector has struggled to reach its full potential.
With estimates that there are currently around 20,000 legal prescriptions the UK is significantly behind other medical cannabis markets, such as Australia, Germany and Israel.
The Cannabis Directory aims to tackle this by making the prescribing process independent, simple, and accessible.
The Cannabis Directory also hopes to streamline the prescribing process for current medical cannabis patients by making it easier for them to find a trusted specialist.
Patients can use The Cannabis Directory to search for a doctor, using either their location or speciality, and get in touch directly with their chosen specialist via the platform.
Patients will also have access to an app where they can monitor and share their treatment experience with their doctor in real-time, supporting patient-clinician communication and overall health outcomes.
Meanwhile GPs can use the service to make referrals to cannabis prescriber when they deem it appropriate.
Dr Barron, who is also founder of the Primary Care Cannabis Network and a member of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society Executive Committee, said he wanted to remove some of the ‘unnecessary bureaucracy’ involved in accessing a prescription.
“We created the Cannabis Directory to remove some of the unnecessary bureaucracy in obtaining a medical cannabis prescription in the UK and to make it easier for patients to find trusted specialists,” he commented.
“Patients have a straightforward, independent route to find a trusted doctor via the Directory. We also provide GPs with an easy to navigate and trusted referral pathway for prospective patients.
“Our specialist doctors are supported throughout the prescribing journey, with clear governance and clinical resources, including prescribing training, titration plans, MDT support, and a formulary of indication specific products. The Cannabis Directory provides crucial support every step of the way, empowering independent doctors to expand their prescribing ability.”
Support and education
It has also partnered with Sana Healthcare to offer its ScriptAssist e-prescribing and governance platform.
This reduces risk and gives doctors peace of mind through the prescribing process by providing CPD-accredited medical cannabis training, expert multi-disciplinary team support and real-time patient feedback.
Dr Barron added: “We place a strong emphasis on high quality, professional education, and access to data-backed treatments. Through our partnerships with Sana Healthcare, The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society and The Primary Care Cannabis Network we ensure that our doctors are kept up to date with the very latest developments in this rapidly developing field of emerging medicine.”
Arjun Rajyagor, chief operating officer at Sana Healthcare said: “ScriptAssist is a comprehensive governance tool combined with a data-led formulary, giving clinicians confidence in the process of prescribing, in the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabis products, and in the outcomes that patients experience.
“We know that clinicians want cannabis treatments that are supported by safety and efficacy data, and that’s why we endeavour to source products with supporting data. Through our partnership with the Cannabis Directory, cannabis prescribing is now brought in line with other treatments and prescribing methods freely available to doctors in the UK.”
The platform is aimed at all clinicians interested in prescribing cannabis medicines, whether they are existing prescribers or new to the field. Anyone interested should contact [email protected] to arrange a demonstration.
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