At PatientsCann UK, we represent the voices of patients who rely on safe, effective, and regulated access to medical cannabis. Since its legalisation in 2018, many people have continued to face unnecessary barriers to treatment, from stigma and misinformation to the limited availability of NHS prescriptions. For thousands of patients, private prescriptions remain the only viable route to accessing the medicine they need. That’s why the Department of Health and Social Care’s “Private (non-NHS) Prescribing: Call for Evidence” is such an important opportunity. This review could influence how private prescribing works in the UK, including how cannabis-based medicines are accessed, regulated, and supported by clinicians. Why This Matters The call for evidence invites responses from across the healthcare system, including clinicians, prescribers, pharmacists, healthcare organisations, and patient groups. While the questions are primarily aimed at professionals, it is crucial that patients and carers also share their experiences. By contributing evidence and lived experience, we can help policymakers understand: How private prescribing supports patients who are unable to access NHS treatment. The challenges of affordability, continuity of care, and stigma in private medical cannabis access. The need for greater clinical education and confidence around prescribing cannabis-based medicines. The importance of protecting safe, regulated, and equitable access for all patients. Our Position PatientsCann UK believes that this review must:Protect the right of patients to access regulated medical cannabis safely and affordably.Promote fairness and consistency between NHS and private prescribing pathways.Address stigma and empower clinicians to prescribe based on evidence, not fear.Encourage more research, education, and evidence-based practice across the medical field. This consultation provides a rare chance to shape how the UK approaches private prescribing, and to ensure medical cannabis patients are not overlooked. How to Take Part Your experience is evidence — share it.The Private (non-NHS) Prescribing: Call for Evidence is now open to submissions from individuals and organisations with knowledge or experience of private prescribing. Visit: Private (non-NHS) Prescribing: Call for Evidence – GOV.UKDeadline: 11:59 pm, 4 November 2025 You do not need to answer every question, but you must select Submit at the end for your response to count. How Patients Can Encourage Healthcare Professionals You can play an important role in raising awareness of this consultation within your own care networks. Here are a few ways to help: Start the conversation. Mention the review to your prescribing clinician, pharmacist, or nurse and let them know the deadline. Many professionals may not yet be aware of it. Share the link. Send your clinic, GP practice, or specialist the official GOV.UK consultation page and encourage them to share it with colleagues. Speak to both sides. Whether your care is through a private medical cannabis clinic or the NHS, professionals across both systems can contribute valuable insight on access, patient safety, and clinical challenges. Explain why it matters. Let them know that evidence from healthcare professionals — especially those working with medical cannabis — can directly shape how government policy supports safer and fairer access for patients. Spread awareness. Share our post and tag your clinic, pharmacy, or medical organisation on social media to encourage wider participation. Your voice can help ensure that both patients and healthcare professionals are represented in this important review. Important Note This consultation is separate from the ACMD call for evidence on cannabis-based medicinal products, which focuses on clinical data and scheduling. Both reviews are crucial, and we encourage responses to each. Together, we can ensure that clinicians, patients, and organisations play a leading role in shaping an equitable and evidence-based future for medical cannabis access in the UK. 💚

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