Zerenia Clinics UK has become the first to attain National Health Service (NHS) reimbursement for cannabis medicine and clinic fees.
Zerenia parent company Khiron Life Sciences Corporation made the announcement on Monday.
The company says it was the first time the NHS has issued reimbursement for a patient’s cannabis-based treatment and clinic fees.
According to Zerenia, the patient had received a referral for cannabis-based evaluation and treatment advice at its clinics.
Khiron Europe President Fanziska Katterbach says a huge demand for medicinal cannabis exists in the UK.
According to Katterbach, more than 1.4 million illegally self-medicate with cannabis, and half of them do it daily.
Katterbach says people who self-medicate spend an estimated £2.6 billion annually in the UK.
“On top of that, the estimated wait times for NHS specialist consultations range drastically, but in cetain areas can be up to nine months,” says Katterbach. “We are prepared to work with the NHS and provide our outstanding clinical resources, medical cannabis products, and certified training tools to decrease wait times for patients and ensure access to life-changing medication.”
Katterbach says a plan for patient reimbursement is a pillar of Khiron’s global strategy, which it has achieved with mandatory reimbursement in Colombia.
Khiron says NHS reimbursement validates the company’s scientific and data-driven approach to safety, efficacy, and cost-effective condition management.
The company says it will present real-world evidence at the International Congress on Clinical Trials on Cannabis in mid-February.
Khiron says an international audience of medical doctors will attend the Congress, which will be at London’s Canary Wharf.