Biology:Mamedica
Mamedica is a London, UK-based medical cannabis clinic which was founded in 2021 and launched in 2022.[1] It is one of four UK clinics licensed to prescribe and dispense medical cannabis.[1]
History
Mamedica was founded by Jon Robson in 2021. After raising £1 million from private investors through UK Government incentive schemes, and obtaining licences from the Care Quality Commission and General Pharmaceutical Council, it treated its first patients in June 2022.[1]
In August 2022, it published a survey of 4,000 people which found that 60% of British people would consider using cannabis to treat medical conditions, particularly if prescribed by a doctor.[2][3] A February 2023 survey for Mamedica found a third of respondents would use medical marijuana to help treat depression.[4]
In June 2023, Mamedica announced a strategic UK partnership with Canadian medical cannabis products supplier 4C Labs.[5]
The clinic has reported a 400% increase in patients since it was founded.[6] Robson says the clinic aims "to offer an alternative to conventional medicines to individuals who are struggling with a severe medical condition and desire to regain a sense of normalcy in their daily lives".[7]
Patient conditions
Since June 2022, 40% of Mamedica's prescriptions have been for mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder.[8] In 2023, Mamedica reported an increase in demand from patients suffering from psychiatric conditions and opting to use medical cannabis as a replacement for traditional medication that can cause side effects.[9]
In addition, the clinic prescribes CBD to support patients with menopause symptoms like hot flushes,[10] and the clinic supports patients living with chronic neurological pain, with bespoke cannabis-based prescription medicines (CBPMs) that improve individuals' overall quality of life by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.[11]
Eligibility for treatment
While more than 89,000 private medical cannabis prescriptions have been made in the UK, there have been fewer than five medical cannabis prescriptions via the NHS.[12] UK legislation states that a prescription for medical cannabis can only be initiated by a specialist consultant on the General Medical Council (GMC) register.[13] Before patients can book a Mamedica consultation, they need to have tried at least two licensed medications or treatments and must not have any history of schizophrenia or psychosis.[14] Patients must provide their medical records and details about their family medical history to mitigate any potential risks of using CBPMs.[14]
Treatment
Mamedica doctors can prescribe CBPMs including THC, Cannabidiol (CBD) and balanced cannabis profiles and cannabis flower, oil, capsules and cartridges for patients living with chronic conditions.[15] Mamedica's cannabis flower prescriptions are strictly for use in dry-herb vaporisers, devices that let patients heat the flower and inhale its contents as a vapour.[14]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Leigh, Dana (December 5, 2022). "A Chat with Jon Robson, CEO at Medicinal Cannabis Clinic: Mamedica". Techround. https://techround.co.uk/interviews/a-chat-with-jon-robson-mamedica/.
- ↑ Waugh, Rob (15 August 2022). "Most British people would now consider using medical cannabis, survey shows". Yahoo News. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/most-british-people-would-now-consider-using-medical-cannabis-survey-shows-155808825.html.
- ↑ Roberts, Joe (4 August 2023). "More than half of Brits unaware they can access cannabis on prescription". Cannabis Health News. https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/2022/08/04/story22-more-than-half-brits-unaware-cannabis-available-on-prescription/.
- ↑ Maule, Will (26 February 2023). "Third of Brits would opt for medical cannabis to treat mental health conditions". Wales Online. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/third-brits-would-opt-medical-26333332.
- ↑ "Mamedica & 4C LABS Ltd. Conclude Strategic Agreement For The UK Market". Business of Cannabis. 7 June 2023. https://businessofcannabis.com/mamedica-4c-labs-ltd-conclude-strategic-agreement-for-the-uk-market/.
- ↑ Koronka, Poppy (August 10, 2023). "Epileptic children face losing access to medicinal cannabis". https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/medicinal-cannabis-childhood-epilepsy-seizures-treatment-uk-9vzrwvgn8.
- ↑ "UK cannabis clinic delivers weed straight to your door". April 21, 2023. https://www.ladbible.com/originals/uk-cannabis-clinic-mamedica-medical-marijuana-delivery-395441-20230404.
- ↑ Eccles, Louise (August 10, 2023). "I used to buy cannabis from street dealers for my anxiety. Now I get a prescription". https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-used-to-buy-cannabis-from-street-dealers-for-my-anxiety-now-i-get-a-prescription-jgkg568q8.
- ↑ "ADHD sufferers are self-medicating with cannabis because of NHS delays, charity warns". https://news.sky.com/story/adhd-sufferers-are-self-medicating-with-cannabis-because-of-nhs-delays-charity-warns-12933943.
- ↑ Hughes, Lauren (March 16, 2023). "Hot flushes? These patches have been hailed a 'lifesaver' for menopause symptoms". Metro. https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/16/the-patches-hailed-a-lifesaver-in-battling-menopause-symptoms-18452842/.
- ↑ Sharp, Christopher (May 20, 2023). "‘Medical cannabis changed my life,' says woman with rare neurological disorder". https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1772283/medical-cannabis-chronic-pain-estelle-blanc.
- ↑ Shehadi, Sebastian (April 17, 2023). "England to become the second largest medical cannabis market in Europe". Investment Monitor. https://www.investmentmonitor.ai/news/england-to-become-the-second-largest-medical-cannabis-market-europe/.
- ↑ "Why neurodivergent people are self-medicating with weed". July 10, 2023. https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/60300/1/neurodivergent-people-are-self-medicating-with-weed-cannabis-uk-drugs.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Hockaday, James (August 6, 2022). "Medical weed prescribed to 17,000 in UK - but many are still using black market". Metro. https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/06/medical-cannabis-has-now-been-prescribed-to-17000-people-in-uk-17087455/.
- ↑ "Man shows how easy it can be to get a medical cannabis prescription in the UK". April 26, 2023. https://www.ladbible.com/news/medical-cannabis-prescription-uk-drew-is-sharing-683413-20230426.
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