About the campaign

In the UK, 180,000 people live with drug-resistant epilepsy, also known as intractable epilepsy. It is defined as a form of epilepsy that does not respond adequately to at least two or three first-choice antiepileptic drugs in monotherapy, leading to persistent seizures.

However, full extract medical cannabis has been shown to significantly help many of those suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy, providing relief to affected children and young people, and changing the lives of family members who care for them.

In 2018, following years of campaigning by a small number of children affected by drug-resistant epilepsy, the UK Government legalised medical cannabis under prescription. Unfortunately, due to continued reluctance to prescribe, many families are unable to access prescriptions on the NHS and instead have to spend thousands every year to receive the treatment privately.

Whilst sophisticated trials are planned, these will take years and are unsuitable for those already receiving treatment. That is why we are calling for the Government to fund an observational trial for children and young adults currently receiving prescriptions through private clinics.