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Research by the MS Society found less than half of NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) were funding the treatment, which can reduce painful muscle spasms in people with multiple sclerosis.

Following our campaign, NHS England’s chief pharmaceutical officer raised the issue in a letter to trusts and CCGs.

Dr Keith Ridge reminded them of guidance published in November 2019 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

It recommended offering a four-week trial of Sativex to adults with multiple sclerosis who suffer from moderate to severe spasticity, for whom other treatments have not worked.

He also highlighted a scheme offered by the manufacturer which covers the cost of the first pack of the cannabis-based mouth spray for the trial. If patients see at least a 20 percent reduction in symptoms, they stay on the drug.

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An NHS spokesperson said: “Services should refer to Nice guidance and offer patients Sativex if clinically appropriate.”

The stories we’re hearing are shocking

Jonathan Blades

NHS CCGs are responsible for deciding which services should be funded in local areas and the MS Society’s recent research found only 49 out of 106 CCGs in England included Sativex on the list of medications they were offering.

It was approved shortly before the pandemic and campaigners believe the nationwide strain of the COVID-19 crisis had an impact on uptake.

Phillip Anderson, the charity’s head of policy, welcomed the move, but added: “We still have a long way to go to end this cruel postcode lottery.”

Chris Todd, who has MS and shared his experience of being denied Sativex when we launched our crusade, said: “We need to start seeing some movement.”

Comment by Jonathan Blades

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been overwhelmed with support for our campaign to end the Sativex postcode lottery.

Thanks to backing from the Daily Express we’ve seen our push go from strength to strength.

Funding decisions are made locally by CCGs, so it is imperative that these decision makers review the evidence set out in NHS England’s letter, and act now to make Sativex available in their areas.

While we wait for these decisions to be made, thousands of people with MS are left struggling with muscle spasms.

The stories we’re hearing are shocking. One man, Paul, told us that he’s lived with constant spasms for five years and has not had a proper night’s sleep in that time.

It is unacceptable that people like Paul are being left in such a dreadful situation, while there’s a NICE recommended treatment that’s safe, effective and could improve his quality of life.

We need to end this postcode lottery.

Jonathan Blades is Senior Public Affairs Officer at the Multiple Sclerosis Society UK

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