The Cannabinoid Research and Development Group (CRDG) has released its latest report, authored by Professor Trevor Jones CBE FMedSci (Chairman of CRDG) and Zack Bellman, titled “Strengthening Cannabinoid Research & Development: Controlled Drugs Licensing Reforms for UK Medical and Scientific Research in Academia and Industry.” This report highlights the urgent need for reforms in the UK’s licensing system for cannabinoid research, exposing delays that have hindered progress in medical and scientific trials.
The report criticises the Home Office for sitting on critical recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) dating back to 2017. These recommendations, which could expedite clinical trials and support the development of cannabinoid-based medicines, remain unaddressed despite medical cannabis being reclassified in 2018. Furthermore, the Home Office continues to route cannabinoid research licences through its Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit, creating further unnecessary barriers for researchers.
The report calls for a prioritisation of companies undertaking clinical trials over those distributing unlicensed medicines within the Home Office licensing process, emphasising the need to support research that will accelerate patient access to innovative treatments.
Professor Jones, commented on the regulatory challenges facing cannabinoid research:
“It’s astonishing that companies conducting vital evidence-based medical research have to navigate the same department that licences firearms. There’s a clear lack of priority for those developing highly refined pharmaceutical products containing cannabinoids, who are striving for licensed market authorisation. The regulatory pathway must be one that actively supports scientific clinical trials and recognises that cannabinoid-based medicines represent a distinct category with far greater potential than what is typically considered ‘medical cannabis.’ We need a system that encourages innovation and prioritises patient access to safe, effective treatments.”
The delays have garnered national attention, Dr. Andy Yates, CRDG board member and Chief Scientific Officer at Artelo Biosciences Ltd, highlighted in a feature in The Times newspaper how companies are continuing their research outside of the UK due to the additional time and costs associated with navigating the UK’s licensing system.
Dr. Yates expressed his concerns regarding the current regulatory landscape:
“Undertaking clinical research is already a challenging endeavour, but when it comes to cannabinoids, the UK’s regulatory framework makes it unnecessarily difficult and unpredictable to navigate. The research environment in the UK is so complex that companies like ours are naturally looking abroad to start these trials, taking funding and expertise outside of the UK. In effect, the Home Office’s current approach is unable to provide the permissive R&D environment for discovering and developing promising medicines for patients with high unmet needs and this will ultimately impact growth in the UK economy. It’s especially frustrating given that their own independent advisory board provided a straightforward and cost-effective pathway as far back as 2017, yet no significant action has been taken to address the ACMD’s recommendations”.
To explore the report’s findings in greater detail, CRDG will host a webinar at 2:30pm (BST) on Monday, 14th October 2024, featuring Dr. Andy Yates and other experts. Industry stakeholders will discuss the regulatory challenges and the path forward for cannabinoid research in the UK.
Event Details:
- Date: Monday, 14th October 2024
- Time: 2:30 AM – 3:30 PM (BST)
- Registration: Join via Eventbrite.
About CRDG
The Cannabinoid Research and Development Group (CRDG) is committed to advancing cannabinoid science and advocating for the necessary reforms to support medical research and innovation in the UK.national, Kingdom Therapeutics, NW Pharmatech, Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies, Phytome Life Sciences and Brains Bioceutical.