United Kingdom: doctors recommend giving cannabis to the elderly suffering from chronic pain

Older adults suffering from chronic pain, particularly back and joint pain, should be prescribed Cannabis British doctors recommend this instead of conventional pain relievers.

A draft guideline published last month by the British Institute for Health and Care Excellence suggested that patients suffering from chronic pain should be prescribed fewer medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and opioids like tramadol, codeine, and morphine, and instead be offered fitness programs or acupuncture.

But some doctors have suggested that these patients might instead benefit from’cannabis oil.

«Cannabis-derived medications can help address a lack of treatment options for people suffering from chronic pain, as we move away from certain pain management procedures and turn to opioids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,» he said declared Dr. Steve Hajioff, former president of the British Medical Association.

«Patients who could benefit from cannabis-based medications should be informed of the legal avenues for accessing these treatments in the United Kingdom, so that they are not exposed to the dangers associated with the illegal market.»

Cannabis is, in fact, largely unavailable through the NHS, the British healthcare system. Private clinics may, however, prescribe it at higher costs. A private pilot program involving 20,000 patients also provides access to cannabis at more affordable prices.

A survey conducted by Grow Pharma and Open Cannabis, two private British initiatives aimed at expanding access to cannabis-based medicines in the United Kingdom, recently suggested that nearly three-quarters of people over the age of 55 would consider taking cannabis-based medicines if they were offered them.

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