UK wants to continue importing medical cannabis despite Brexit

It's a six-month reprieve. The UK will continue to be able to import cannabis products from other countries. Bedrocan from the Netherlands until July 1, 2021. The import of these plant cannabinoid-based treatments, used in particular to treat epileptic children, was threatened by the Brexit.

To prevent a stock-out for her son, Hannah Deacon has written to the UK Department of Health to get things moving. «I am pleased to inform you that the Dutch government will allow the supply of Bedrocan oil for UK patients with a prescription until July 1, 2021.», replied Jeannette Howe from the UK Department of Health. During these six months, the British government wants to « use this time to find a permanent solution».», continues Jeannette Howe.

Bedrocan's products are used by some forty British youngsters. «I'm terrified that my son Alfie's seizures will start again, because we can't get Bedrocan.», regrets Hannah Deacon with the Guardian. Nine-year-old Alfie suffers from a rare form of epilepsy. He used to have up to 150 convulsions a week. But cannabis proved to be a miracle solution.

«After three months, Alfie's convulsions became less frequent., says his mother in a article published in the British Medical Journal. We added THC oil to the CBD oil, on the advice of our neuropediatrician. Alfie didn't seize for 40 days. When he did have a few seizures, they were less intense, and we could control them more easily. Also, his cognitive development improved a lot.»

More valid prescriptions

But with the Brexit, it's not all that simple. From now on, «prescriptions prescribed in the UK are no longer legally valid in a member state of the European Union», considers the UK Department of Health. And as Bedrocan products are made and produced in the Netherlands by the Bedrocan company, they cannot be imported.

Across the Channel, the Department of Health initially advised Hannah Deacon to find a substitute drug. But according to British neurologist Mike Barnes - quoted by the Guardian - this tip shows «an incredible level of ignorance« since it exists «147 different cannabinoids».

From now on, the UK and the Netherlands will have to reach a bilateral agreement. Otherwise, the 42 British families taking Bedrocan treatments will have to find another drug. «My son could start having persistent seizures again. These seizures can kill people, alarms Alfie's mother.