Medical guidance row over cannabis

THOUSANDS OF patients are being denied prescriptions for cannabis despite the law change because of “botched and cruel” medical guidance, MPs have warned.

Conservative former minister Sir Mike Penning was among those to say the material being relied on by the NHS is shutting down the fresh law. Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley, two severely epileptic boys whose conditions helped change the laws, would not be able to get renewed access to their medication under the guidelines, their families say.

Sir Mike hit out at the Royal College of Physicians and British Paediatric Neurology Association guidance. He said: “We are now in the quite frankly cruel and ludicrous position of families with severely epileptic children once again having to fundraise to go abroad to get access to a medicine that we have just legalised in the UK. Those responsible for this botched and cruel outcome should hang their heads in shame.” Billy Caldwell’s mother Charlotte Caldwell, inset, of Co Tyrone, has said the 13-year-old would not be able to get a repeat prescription for the cannabis oil with which he is being treated. The decision to reschedule the cannabis products came following a specially commissioned review, with Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies concluding there is evidence they can have therapeutic benefits. However, the drugs can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor.