Home Health Private clinics criticized for claiming ‘medicinal cannabis’ can be used for ADHD and menopause

Private clinics criticized for claiming ‘medicinal cannabis’ can be used for ADHD and menopause

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Private clinics are offering “medicinal cannabis” to mentally ill patients, despite there being “no convincing evidence” that the drug can help, experts have warned.

A Mail on Sunday investigation found companies claiming cannabis can treat a range of serious conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and insomnia.

Others announce that “you don’t have to have a serious illness to be prescribed cannabis.”

One company, Releaf, lists 97 conditions, including long Covid, acid reflux, endometriosis and joint pain, among the problems the drug can treat.

Cannabis was legalized for medical use in 2018 following pressure from parents of children with severe epilepsy who allegedly benefited from the drug.

It is available on the NHS under strict guidelines to help control seizures, for chronic pain and for those suffering from the degenerative disease multiple sclerosis; however, only 110 prescriptions have been issued in the last five years.

Doctors who spoke to the Ministry of Health say the change in law and “lack of regulation” have allowed private clinics to offer cannabis even for minor ailments.

Last year, private cannabis prescriptions doubled, reaching almost 180,000, according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Private clinics offer “medicinal cannabis” to mentally ill patients, despite “no convincing evidence” the drug can help, experts warned (Sotck image)

In a social media ad for Alternaleaf, BBC presenter Natalie Pike claims that consuming cannabis means

In a social media advert for the company Alternaleaf, BBC broadcaster Natalie Pike claims that using cannabis means she has “finally found a solution” to her sleep problems.

Releaf claims to see more than 100 patients daily, with 45,000 expected to be on its books by the end of the year. It claims there are potentially three million people across the country who could be offered cannabis based on their own eligibility criteria.

However, leading psychiatrist Professor Sir Robin Murray, of King’s College London, said the clinics were “causing harm to the people they claim to help”. He added: “There is no compelling scientific evidence that cannabis helps with most of (these) conditions.”

Freedom of information requests from this newspaper show there have been 247 adverse reactions and seven deaths involving cannabis products recorded in the last five years by the UK drugs regulator.

Around 1,000 people were treated in each of the last three years in the NHS for the effects of cannabis, with 80 per cent suffering serious mental health problems.

Sir Robin warns: ‘Currently around a third of all psychosis patients I see are cannabis dependent. This was never so; It’s definitely on the rise.”

There are 22 cannabis clinics registered with the CQC, which regulates medical facilities, and 40 pharmacies dispensing the products.

A private prescription can cost around £250 a month after installation fees of £350. Patients must attend a remote consultation with a doctor and have tried two previous treatments to receive the medication.

Leading psychiatrist Professor Sir Robin Murray, of King's College London, said the clinics are

Leading psychiatrist Professor Sir Robin Murray, of King’s College London, said the clinics were “causing harm to the people they claim to help”.

On the NHS only three cannabis-based oils are licensed for medical use, while private clinics offer hundreds of types.

“It seems as if there is now an ‘anything goes’ attitude when it comes to cannabis,” said Professor Penny Ward, a pharmaceutical expert at King’s College London.

‘Private clinics make health claims with little or no evidence to back them up and no one seems to stop them. “Ultimately, it’s a huge risk to patients.”

And in a social media advert for the company Alternaleaf, BBC broadcaster Natalie Pike claims that using cannabis means she has “finally found a solution” to her sleep problems.

She says patients can get a prescription within 72 hours for conditions including anxiety, depression, ADHD and chronic pain, adding, “It’s that easy.”

The Mademica Clinic claims that cannabis is an alternative to treating ADHD without the “zombie effects” of standard medication, according to its press release. It also says the medication is a “natural holistic treatment option.”

But a review published last month by the University of Oxford found that the only effective treatments for ADHD are standard stimulants and atomoxetine.

Sir Robin said: “For psychological conditions, cannabis has the same effect as drinking a pint.”

BBC presenter Natalie Pike appears before the Premier League match at Molineux Stadium

BBC presenter Natalie Pike appears before the Premier League match at Molineux Stadium

“It may help take your mind off the symptoms in the short term, but then you’ll want to drink more and more, with long-term consequences.”

“There needs to be much closer oversight of these clinics.”

A spokesperson for Mademica said: “While it is true that we prescribe unlicensed medications that have not gone through clinical trials, a substantial number of our patients have reported that cannabis-based prescription medications have been very effective in managing their ADHD condition. .

‘We welcome regulations that promote excellence in patient care. We work closely with the CQC, the General Pharmaceutical Council, the Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Agency and the Home Office to ensure our services are fully compliant.’

Alternaleaf and Releaf did not respond to a request for comment.

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