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Target Healthcare to produce Bedrolite medical cannabis oil in UK

The Dutch government will continue to supply medicine to existing patients for a further three months.

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Target Healthcare to produce Bedrolite medical cannabis oil in UK
Target is said to have produced several batches of Bedrolite oil.

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Target Healthcare is set to manufacture Bedrolite medical cannabis oil in the UK, as the cut off for importing medicines from the Netherlands is extended again. 

Families of children using medical cannabis oils from the Dutch firm Bedrocan, have been informed that Target Healthcare will supply the high-CBD oil Bedrolite for patients in the UK.

In a letter, seen by Cannabis Health, the Department of Health and Social Care revealed that the Glasgow-based firm has been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), to manufacture cannabis-based products for medicinal use.

A number of patients with refractory epilepsy, two or whom have an NHS prescription, are currently using Bedrocan’s products in the UK and have seen their seizures significantly reduced and quality of life improved.

Until now these been dispensed by the Transvaal pharmacy in the Netherlands.

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Target is said to have already produced several batches of Bedrolite oil after the Home Office amended its temporary licence, to ensure patients were not left without medication following supply issues last month.

It is now progressing its application for a full schedule one licence with the Home Office, which will allow it to produce Bedica and Bedrocan oil, which are also used by a number of children and contain higher levels of THC.

The letter also confirms that an agreement has been reached with the Dutch government to continue supplying medicine for existing patients for a further three months until 1 July 2022 to allow for “full domestic production” to be completed.

Families were given two weeks’ notice that their medication could no longer be dispensed following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December, 2020.

In response to calls from campaigners, the Dutch government agreed to continue supplying the life-saving products until 1 July, 2021 while a more permanent solution was reached. This waiver period has since been extended again until 1 January, 2022.

Target is currently able to supply “quality assured” Bedrolite oils produced during its validation process to “ensure continuity of supply” for patients.

However, a full schedule one licence is required before Target will be able to routinely produce medicines which can be supplied to patients.

Families have welcomed the news of a UK supply of Bedrolite, but raised concerns about how long it would be before Bedica and Bedrocan were also available.

Bedrolite is a high CBD oil, containing less than one per cent THC and 7.5 per cent CBD. 

Bedica and Bedrocan both contain higher levels of THC (Bedica 14 per cent THC and Bedrocan 22 per cent THC) and less than one per cent CBD.

In children with complex epilepsy, switching products can result in a worsening of seizures and may even be life-threatening.

Karen Gray’s son Murray, nine, who has a rare condition known as Doose syndrome, has been seizure free since taking both Bedrolite, and Bedica oils.

Karen told Cannabis Health: “The fact that we now have a UK source of Bedrolite is great news, however Murray still needs Bedica, and some of the other children are using Bedrocan as well.

“The agreement is until July but this will likely need to be extended again, as it’s taken over a year for Target to make Bedrolite, it’s going to take another year before they can make Bedica, and that’s if they are even planning to do that.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Domestic manufacture of Bedrocan oils is currently being established in the UK.

“DHSC continues to work closely with the Dutch Government, the Home Office and MHRA to ensure uninterrupted supply of Bedrocan oils.

“We continue to update interested parties on our progress, and will do so until domestic manufacture of Bedrocan oils is established.”

Cannabis Health has approached Target Healthcare for comment. 

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Sarah Sinclair is an award-winning freelance journalist covering health, drug policy and social affairs. She is one of the few UK reporters specialising in medical cannabis policy and as the former editor of Cannabis Health has covered developments in the European cannabis sector extensively, with a focus on patients and consumers. She continues to report on cannabis-related health and policy for Forbes, Cannabis Health and Business of Cannabis and has written for The i Paper, Byline Times, The Lead, Positive News, Leafie & others. Sarah has an NCTJ accreditation and an MA in Journalism from the University of Sunderland and has completed additional specialist training through the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society in the UK. She has spoken at leading industry events such as Cannabis Europa.

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