Isle of Man Government – Patient access to medical cannabis may soon be expanded

Patients will soon be able to purchase cannabis for medical purposes (CBPMs) from licensed pharmacies on the island following a successful pilot program.

The new ‘business as usual’ licensing and registration arrangements mean that pharmacies registered on the island will be able to apply for a licence to issue CBPMs, and registrations of private CBPM prescribing clinics will also be accepted.

During the pilot, dispensing was limited to one pharmacy and only prescriptions from CQC-registered clinics in England were accepted.

Over a 12-month period, more than 650 patients used the pilot service, ranging in age from 18 to 86. An average of 335 CBPM items were dispensed each month, the majority for the treatment of chronic pain conditions.

The changes mean private-pay patients will have access to clinics on the island that can assess and prescribe medical marijuana, with the option of having their prescriptions filled at local pharmacies.

Businesses will be able to submit applications for new registers or licences from today and interested organisations should contact the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) dhsc@gov.im.

Minister for Health and Social Care Lawrie Hooper MHK said:

“The success of the pilot program demonstrates the local demand for these private prescriptions and paves the way for this more patient-centric approach, where patients can choose their preferred or most convenient prescription clinic or dispensing location. This is intended to improve the overall patient experience, but please be patient as registration and application processing proceeds.”

To promote and prioritise patient safety, licences will continue to carry conditions, including that prescriptions can only be given by doctors on the General Medical Council (GMC) specialist register and are subject to inspection and regular reporting.

CBPM will continue to be available by private prescription only and will no longer be available on NHS prescription. Individuals will continue to be responsible for paying all costs associated with obtaining a prescription for CBPM.

Patients or businesses interested in the new licensing system or registration can visit the following websites for more information: CBPM web page.