UK artist with epilepsy still unable to obtain NHS cannabis prescription despite market growth

In 2022, Louis Petit, a talented young artist, prepared to return to London after years of living in the Netherlands to access the medical cannabis that had helped control his epilepsy. Diagnosed at age 12 with a rare neurological condition, Petit first benefited from a cannabis oil called Bedrolite while in Rotterdam, where the drug was legal and doctors combined it with conventional anti‑epileptic medication to reduce his seizures.

Despite the UK legalising medicinal cannabis in the years that followed – a change driven by campaigning parents of children with epilepsy – Petit has never received a prescription from the National Health Service. Like most patients with serious illnesses, his only source of the drug has been the private sector, where costs are considerably higher. The situation has become more precarious after Bedrocan, the Dutch company that manufactures Bedrolite, announced it is entering bankruptcy, raising concerns about future availability of the specific product that stabilises Petit’s condition.

Background

Medical cannabis was illegal in the United Kingdom when Petit was first diagnosed in 2016. His family moved to the Netherlands, where the drug was permitted, allowing doctors to prescribe Bedrolite oil. The treatment proved effective, contradicting earlier assessments by UK neurologists who had deemed such an approach impossible. By 2022, the UK government had amended the law to permit medicinal cannabis, largely in response to pressure from parents like Charlotte Caldwell and Hannah Deacon, who advocated for access for their epileptic children.

Petit secured a place at the City and Guilds of London Art School in 2022, hoping the legal changes would ease his access to the medication. However, the NHS has not issued a prescription for him, and private prescriptions remain the norm for most patients needing the drug. The private market has seen a surge in companies offering cannabis‑based wellness products, yet these are often priced beyond the reach of many patients.

Why it matters

The disparity between the booming legal cannabis market and the lack of NHS prescriptions affects individuals with severe medical conditions who cannot afford private treatment. Petit’s case illustrates the broader issue: while commercial suppliers are expanding, patients with epilepsy and other serious illnesses remain dependent on costly private channels. The potential bankruptcy of Bedrocan threatens the supply of Bedrolite, a product that has demonstrably reduced Petit’s seizures, highlighting the vulnerability of patients reliant on specific formulations.

Stakeholders, including patient advocacy groups, have pointed to the need for clearer NHS prescribing guidelines and greater funding to ensure equitable access. The situation also raises questions about the sustainability of private‑sector reliance when key manufacturers face financial instability.

What happens next

The article notes that Bedrocan’s bankruptcy creates a high likelihood that Bedrolite will become unavailable in the near future, though no specific timeline or alternative supplier is mentioned. No further governmental actions or NHS policy changes are detailed in the source material, leaving the future of Petit’s treatment uncertain.