MHRA: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
The MHRA, or the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, is responsible for granting licences to medications to ensure their safety and efficacy.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) oversees the regulation of medicines and medicinal devices in the UK. Along with the European Medicines Agency, the MHRA is responsible for granting licences to medicines in the UK, including those relating to medical cannabis. It is one of the agencies that make up the Department of Health and Social Care.
Are all the cannabis-based medicines offered in the UK licenced?
No, not all cannabis-based medicines offered in the UK are licenced by the MHRA. Most medical cannabis flower and medical cannabis oil options are not classed as licenced medications, but that doesn't mean they haven't been proven to be both safe and effective in reducing the symptomatic burden of a wide range of health issues, diseases, and conditions.
Although they haven't been granted formal licences by the MHRA, these products undergo rigorous quality control and are prescribed by specialists who evaluate their safety and efficacy for each patient.
To find out if you are eligible for medical cannabis treatment in the UK, check out our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker.
If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis in the UK, Releaf is here to help. In addition to this medical cannabis glossary, we have an extensive blog and education hub to explore, both filled with resources that UK medical cannabis patients, prescribers, and educators have been asking for.