How do medicines get a license in the UK?

Before doctors can widely prescribe a routine medicine, it must pass strict clinical trials and rigorous laboratory testing. This process proves that the medicine meets high safety, quality and efficacy standards.

In the UK, a government body called the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reviews this data. If the medicine passes, the MHRA grants a marketing authorisation (a license) for specific conditions and patient groups.

What does "unlicensed medicine" mean?

An unlicensed medicine is a product that does not currently hold a UK marketing authorisation.

This status does not automatically mean the medicine is unsafe. Often, manufacturers do not apply for a license because a condition is rare, or the product is highly individualised, making standard, large-scale clinical trials difficult to conduct. In the UK, medical cannabis products are legal but classified as "unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use" (CBPMs).

Why do doctors prescribe unlicensed medicines?

Under UK law, specialist doctors can prescribe unlicensed medicines when they judge that a patient has a clinical need that licensed medicines cannot meet.

Your doctor reviews your health history, symptoms and previous treatments. They will only prescribe an unlicensed treatment if they believe it is the most appropriate option for your specific circumstances and that the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

Is medical cannabis the same as street cannabis?

No. Medical cannabis and illicit street cannabis are entirely different in quality, safety and legal status:

• Quality and consistency: Cultivators grow medical cannabis in strictly controlled, pharmaceutical-grade environments. This ensures consistent levels of active ingredients (like THC and CBD) and guarantees the product is free from harmful contaminants like mould, heavy metals, pesticides or unexpected synthetic chemicals. Street cannabis has no such quality controls.

• Legal protection: Possession of street cannabis is illegal in the UK. Medical cannabis is legal to possess and use, provided you hold a valid prescription from a registered specialist doctor and keep it in its original pharmacy packaging.

• Medical oversight: When using medical cannabis, a qualified doctor monitors your dosage, reviews your progress and manages potential side effects or drug interactions.

Is it safe to use an unlicensed medicine?

Because medical cannabis is unlicensed, it has not undergone the standard MHRA evaluation or the conventional clinical trial pipeline.

However, your prescribing doctor does not choose treatments at random. They base their decisions on available clinical data, international research and guidelines from expert medical bodies.

No medicine - licensed or unlicensed - is entirely free from risks or side effects. Your doctor balances these risks against your potential health outcomes before writing a prescription.

Next steps and informed consent

You should always feel fully informed before starting any new medical treatment. During your consultation, your specialist will discuss your treatment plan in detail. Use this time to ask questions about potential side effects, driving laws and proper administration. You must feel confident that you have enough information to give your informed consent.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. Can any doctor prescribe medical cannabis in the UK?

No. General Practitioners (GPs) cannot initiate a prescription for medical cannabis. Only specialist doctors listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register can prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products.

2. How do I legally carry my medical cannabis?

Always keep your medication in its original packaging provided by the dispensing pharmacy, with the pharmacy dispensing label clearly visible. It is also highly recommended to keep a digital or physical copy of your prescription and a form of photo ID with you.

3. Does "unlicensed" mean medical cannabis is illegal?

No. The UK government legalised medical cannabis in November 2018. The term "unlicensed" is a regulatory classification regarding its manufacturing and trial pipeline, not a reflection of its legal status.

Need more information?

If you have further questions about your treatment or the consenting process, please contact our team at 0247 745 0733 or email [email protected].