Lifeline for little Billy as he is allowed take cannabis oil medicine for epilepsy
SEVERELY epileptic Tyrone boy Billy Caldwell was thrown a lifeline yesterday when the government in Britain performed a dramatic U-turn and gave back his medicinal cannabis – confiscated last week by customs officers at Heathrow Airport.
UK home secretary Sajid Javid stepped in to issue an ‘urgent’ licence, allowing the 12-year-old to be treated with the illegal cannabis oil, after he was rushed to hospital following a seizure.
The decision followed days in which Billy’s condition deteriorated, apparently because he had been unable to take the medication. British border officials had seized seven bottles of the oil after he and his mother Charlotte Caldwell flew in from Canada – where it is legal.
It contains 2% tetrahydrocannibinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
Last night Billy was still in a London hospital, where his mother said he was ‘sleeping’, but was expected to be treated with the oil soon.
Mr Javid said: ‘This is a very complex situation, but our immediate priority is making sure Billy receives the most effective treatment possible in a safe way. We have been in close contact with Billy’s medical team overnight and my decision is based on the advice of senior clinicians who have made clear this is a medical emergency.’
Ms Caldwell, from Castlederg, Co. Tyrone, thanked Mr Javid for his ‘compassion’ but said the week had been ‘a dreadful, horrendous and cruel experience’.
Billy’s seizures returned for the first time in 250 days. He had been taking cannabis oil for 19 months, thanks to the family’s GP in the North, who had sourced it for him.
But the supply ran out after the British Home Office warned the doctor he could be disbarred if he prescribed any more – forcing the Caldwells to fly to Canada.
Ms Caldwell said: ‘Today this is about Billy… tomorrow this is about thousands of other kids and their families.’