MP seeking support for families

A TORY MP has criticised the cost of private prescriptions of medicinal cannabis for children – and called on the government to set up a temporary fund to help parents pay for it.

South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa, co-chairman of the all-party Parliamentary group on medical cannabis under prescription, has championed the issue on behalf of constituents Maya, nine, and Evelina four, who both suffer from rare forms of epilepsy.

Although the law was changed in November

2018 to allow access to medical cannabis in specialist cases, only three NHS prescriptions have been issued. As a result, families are having to pay up to £2,000 a month for private prescriptions. Speaking in an adjournment debate in the Commons, Mr Costa said: “The cost of private prescriptions is astonishing and highly prohibitive for families struggling to raise the funds for this much-needed and lifechanging medicine. “Medicinal cannabis helps to improve the quality of life for my young constituents and I am disappointed that despite it being made legal in 2018 in specialist cases, my constituents are still unable to gain access to it on the NHS.” Mr Costa, pictured, has met with his constituents in Parliament on several occasions to raise awareness of the issue, along with the End our Pain Campaign group, which represents children with severe and rare forms of epilepsy.

He and other members of the all-party group, have also met Professor Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England and Dr Keith Ridge, chief pharmaceutical officer of the NHS to discuss the issues surrounding prescriptions on the NHS.

Peter Carroll, director of the End Our Pain Campaign, said: “The debate highlighted the cross-party support for ensuring better access and funding.

“We are very grateful to all the MPs who took part.”