A step-by-step guide to getting your prescription.
If you believe you qualify, this guide shows you the exact step-by-step process for getting a prescription.
Getting a Prescription: The Process
Once a patient understands the eligibility criteria, the next stage involves the practical steps required to access a consultation with a specialist. This part of the guide explains the process in a clear, sequential manner, from initial conversations with a GP to understanding the financial aspects and preparing for the first specialist appointment. The aim is to demystify the pathway, providing the information needed to navigate it with confidence.
Starting the Process: From GP to Specialist Clinic
Navigating the path to a potential prescription for medical cannabis involves several distinct steps. This section outlines the initial stages, from speaking with your local GP to selecting a private specialist clinic, and provides a transparent overview of the associated costs.
Guide to Discussing Medical Cannabis with Your GP
While a GP cannot directly prescribe medical cannabis (unless they are on the specialist register), they play an important role in the process. It is often beneficial to discuss your intentions with your GP.
When you have this conversation, it is helpful to be clear that you are exploring a legal, specialist-led treatment option for a condition that has not responded to previous therapies. The primary purpose of this discussion is often to request a copy of your Summary Care Record (SCR). This document provides verified details of your medical history, current medications, and allergies, which is essential information required by any specialist clinic before they can proceed with a consultation.
How to Find and Choose the Right Private Clinic
As most prescriptions are issued privately, selecting the right clinic is a crucial step. All clinics operating in the UK must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England, or the equivalent regulatory bodies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
When researching clinics, consider the following factors:
- Specialisms: Does the clinic have specialists with experience in treating your specific condition?
- Costs: Are their fees for consultations, follow-ups, and prescription administration clearly stated?
- Patient Reviews: Independent review platforms can provide insight into the patient experience.
- Process: Does the clinic clearly outline its process from initial enquiry to receiving medication?
A Transparent Guide to Costs
Treatment through a private clinic is self-funded. The costs can be broken down into several parts:
- Initial Consultation: A one-off fee for your first in-depth appointment with the specialist.
- Follow-up Appointments: These are required to monitor your progress and are typically charged at a lower rate than the initial consultation. The frequency of these will be determined by your doctor.
- Prescription Fees: Some clinics charge an administrative fee for issuing a repeat prescription.
- Cost of Medication: The price of the CBMP itself, which is paid to the dispensing pharmacy. This cost varies significantly depending on the product type, dosage, and manufacturer.
- Interactive Tool: ‘True Cost’ of Treatment Calculator’
The Specialist Consultation
The initial consultation with a specialist is the most important step in the process. It is a formal medical appointment where a doctor will determine if a cannabis-based medicine is a safe and appropriate treatment option for you.
What to Expect in Your First Appointment
Your first appointment will be a comprehensive review of your health. The specialist will discuss:
- Your primary medical condition and symptoms.
- The licensed treatments you have tried previously and their outcomes.
- Your detailed medical history, including any other conditions or contraindications.
- Your treatment goals and what you hope to achieve.
This is a two-way conversation designed for the doctor to gather all necessary information and for you to understand the potential treatment fully.
Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor
It is advisable to prepare some questions for your specialist. This ensures you leave the consultation feeling fully informed. Consider asking:
- What type of product (e.g., oil, flower) do you believe is most appropriate and why?
- What is the proposed starting dosage and how will it be adjusted?
- What are the potential side effects I should be aware of?
- How will my progress be monitored and how often are follow-up appointments needed?
- What are the rules regarding driving while receiving this treatment?
The Role of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)
In line with best medical practice, the decision to issue a prescription is often not made by the consulting doctor alone. Your case will typically be reviewed by a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) within the clinic. This team may consist of several doctors and specialists who collectively assess the information from your consultation to ensure that the proposed treatment plan is safe, appropriate, and in your best interest.
Downloadable Resource: The Pre-Consultation Checklist
Appointments are often not free. This checklist is designed to help you prepare for your first consultation with a specialist doctor to ensure that you and your doctor can make the most of your time together, and prevent a second costly appointment being required due to lack of preparation in the first appointment. After completing, you will be able to save the output as a PDF. Please do not refresh the page while filling out the form as we wipe all confidential data entered into the form immediately.