Request

I am requesting the following information:

1. The number of individuals who have been prescribed cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) by NHS England between 1st November 2018 and 31st December 2025.

2. The number of individuals who have requested a prescription of cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) from NHS England between 1st November 2018 and 31st December 2025, including unsuccessful requests.

3. The cost, in pounds, for NHS England to issue a single prescription of cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs).

Note: by CBPMs, I am referring to unlicensed medicinal cannabis which contains THC (such as Bedrolite) and which was legalised by the UK government for medicinal use in 2018.

Response

Question 1. The number of individuals who have been prescribed cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) by NHS England between 1st November 2018 and 31st December 2025.

We can confirm that we do hold the requested information However, I have decided not to release the exact number of individuals as the number is fewer than five. This is because the patients could be identified when combined with other information that may be in the public domain or reasonably available.

This information falls under the exemption in section 40 subsections 2 and 3A (a) of the Freedom of Information Act.

This is because it would breach the first data protection principle as:

• it is not fair to disclose patients personal details to the world and is likely to cause damage or distress

• these details are not of sufficient interest to the public to warrant an intrusion into the privacy of the patients

To see the exemption in full, visit:https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/40

Breach of Patient confidentiality

Please note that the identification of patients is also a breach of the common law duty of confidence. A patient who has been identified could make a claim against the NHSBSA for the disclosure of the confidential information.

The information requested is therefore being withheld as it falls under the exemption in section 41(1) ‘Information provided in confidence’ of the Freedom of Information Act.

To see the exemption in full, visit: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/41

Question 2. The number of individuals who have requested a prescription of cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) from NHS England between 1st November 2018 and 31st December 2025, including unsuccessful requests.

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA.

The NHSBSA only receives prescribing data after a prescription has been issued by a clinician and subsequently dispensed in the community.

Question 3. The cost, in pounds, for NHS England to issue a single prescription of cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs).

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA.

The NHSBSA does not hold information on the cost for a prescription to be issued.

We do hold information relating to Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) for dispensed prescriptions. However, NIC reflects the basic cost of the item once it has been dispensed, not the cost of issuing the prescription itself.