Prescribing medical cannabis in the UK is still a relatively new area of practice. While the clinical opportunities are growing, doctors entering this field face a unique set of risks and regulatory requirements. One of the most important – and often misunderstood – parts of working privately with cannabis medicines is making sure you have the right insurance in place.
In this article, we spoke to Richard Cupit, Head of Healthcare at PIB Insurance Brokers, who has pioneered the firm’s medical cannabis policy, to help prescribing clinicians ensure they have all bases covered.
Unlike NHS doctors, who are automatically covered by the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST), medical cannabis prescribers usually work privately. This means they must arrange their own insurance cover.
The General Medical Council (GMC) states that if you are practising medicine privately in the UK, you must have “adequate and appropriate insurance or indemnity arrangements in place covering the full scope of your medical practice.” This applies even if you’re working within NHS premises but prescribing privately.
In practice, this means that doctors stepping into cannabis prescribing – often for the first time outside the NHS – need to think differently about their professional protection.
The majority of cannabis-based medicines prescribed in the UK are also unlicensed, meaning prescribers take full clinical responsibility for their use. Not having the right insurance coverage in place could prevent you from practicing and could even jeopardise your career and have legal consequences.
Many assume that existing coverage extends to CBPM prescribing, but in many cases, insurance providers still have exclusionary policies in place when it comes to cannabis.
Many insurers now offer worldwide and digital health options, which are crucial for prescribers seeing patients online or outside the UK.
Getting the right insurance as a medical cannabis prescriber can seem like a bit of a minefield, but it doesn’t need to be.
Choose a broker that is familiar with the sector, such as PiB Insurance. Richard and the PiB team work closely with the Society, bringing extensive knowledge and experience in the unique considerations in this field of medicine.
This includes whether you prescribe remotely, internationally, or face-to-face.
It’s important to thoroughly review the policy details and be aware of any exclusions that could affect your protection. This includes which treatments and activities are included, as well as any territorial or financial limits.
Clinicians should ensure they have the right coverage and any necessary add-ons, such as worldwide cover, digital health, or run-off protection, if they plan to stop prescribing in the future.
Regulations and attitudes are evolving quickly in the medical cannabis sector, and clinicians should ensure they stay up to speed and keep careful records of their practice for future reference.
The Society works closely with PIB Insurance Brokers to arrange competitive, comprehensive policies for UK clinicians prescribing medical cannabis, because they understand the complex challenges clinicians face in this emerging field of medicine.
Richard has been working with the Society since 2021 and is passionate about supporting prescribers and helping patients access these treatments. Richard and the team not only work with individual prescribers, but clinics, importers, cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, management consultants, and tech providers in the sector.
PIB has developed tailored malpractice solutions that reflect the realities of prescribing cannabis medicines, offering doctors peace of mind with protection against both traditional liabilities and new, emerging risks.
To arrange a policy, please contact Richard Cupit, Head of Healthcare at PIB, on 07935 709160 or [email protected]. You can find out more about PIB Insurance Brokers on their website.
At the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, we give UK doctors the tools, guidance, and peer support to prescribe medical cannabis confidently and safely. One of the most common – and most important – questions we hear from new and existing prescribers is: How do I get the right medical cannabis insurance?
The answer is simple: you need insurance coverage that specifically covers your medical cannabis prescribing.
In the UK, medicinal cannabis products (CBMPs) can currently only be prescribed privately, apart from limited NHS use for licensed products such as Sativex and Epidyolex. This means your NHS indemnity does not cover you for most medical cannabis treatment.
The GMC requires all doctors to have adequate and appropriate insurance or indemnity arrangements covering the full scope of your practice. In reality, this means arranging a policy that includes indemnity insurance for doctors prescribing cannabis-based treatments. If your policy doesn’t explicitly list prescribing medical cannabis, you may not be protected for a claim.
Because most CBMPs are an unlicensed medicine, prescribers take full clinical responsibility for their use. Without the right insurance coverage in place, you risk being uninsured – something that could halt your treatment work immediately, affecting your patients. Being uninsured could jeopardise your career and leave you unable to practise. A lack of insurance could also impact your income if you are unable to work due to legal or regulatory issues.
Medical cannabis is an emerging and rapidly expanding field in the UK, with more healthcare professionals now prescribing cannabis-based products to help manage a range of health conditions. As this area of medicine grows, it’s increasingly important for clinicians to have robust medical indemnity insurance in place. Medical indemnity provides comprehensive cover for healthcare professionals, especially those working in private practice, by protecting them against medical malpractice claims that may arise from their clinical work.
With more patients seeking medical cannabis treatments, having the right indemnity cover not only safeguards your practice but also supports your ability to deliver high-quality care with confidence. In this evolving landscape, understanding the importance of insurance cover is essential for all medical professionals involved in prescribing medical cannabis in the UK.
Professor Mike Barnes, Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, says:
“Apart from two specific medications, Sativex and Epidyolex, medical cannabis is classed as an unlicensed medicine. Doctors prescribing unlicensed products take full clinical responsibility and may not be covered by standard indemnity insurance. Medical cannabis is a safe treatment with often significant benefits and few side effects. Clinicians can be reassured that if they prescribe within the legal parameters, they are very safe – although they still need insurance cover.”
To make this simple, the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society has partnered with PIB Insurance Brokers – a leading provider of specialist healthcare cover – to arrange competitive, comprehensive policies for UK clinicians prescribing medical cannabis. It’s part of our commitment to removing barriers so clinicians can start or continue this treatment with confidence.
With this partnership, you can access:
PIB Insurance Brokers provide insurance solutions for UK doctors prescribing medical cannabis treatments.
To arrange a policy, please contact Richard Cupit, Head of Healthcare at PIB, on 07935 709160 or [email protected]. You can find out more about PIB Insurance Brokers on their website.
When choosing a medical indemnity insurance policy, it’s vital for medical cannabis clinicians to thoroughly review the policy details and be aware of any exclusions that could affect their protection.
Key aspects to consider include the scope of coverage, such as which treatments and activities are included, as well as any territorial or financial limits. Exclusions may relate to previous indemnity cover, disciplinary matters, or ongoing GMC investigations, which could leave gaps in your protection.
For medical cannabis clinicians in the UK, regulatory compliance is a fundamental part of safe and effective practice. The General Medical Council (GMC) requires all doctors to have adequate indemnity cover in place, and both NHS and private healthcare organisations may set additional standards for medical indemnity insurance. Healthcare professionals must stay informed about these requirements to ensure their insurance arrangements meet the necessary standards and protect them from potential risks.
Failing to comply with regulatory expectations can lead to significant challenges, including professional or legal consequences. By keeping up-to-date with the latest guidance and ensuring their insurance cover aligns with current regulations, medical professionals can focus on delivering the best possible care to their patients while safeguarding their own business and reputation.
Medical cannabis clinicians have access to several types of insurance designed to protect both their professional and business interests. The most critical is medical indemnity insurance, which specifically covers healthcare professionals against medical malpractice claims related to patient care.
In addition, professional liability insurance offers broader protection for errors or omissions in the delivery of professional services, while business insurance addresses risks associated with running a medical cannabis practice, such as safeguarding premises and equipment.
Each type of cover plays a vital role in ensuring that clinicians are protected from different aspects of risk. It’s essential for medical professionals to assess their practice needs and select the right combination of indemnity cover and business insurance to ensure they are fully protected in all areas of their work.
As the medical cannabis sector continues to grow in the UK, the need for tailored medical indemnity insurance will only increase. The future of medical cannabis insurance will be shaped by the evolving risks and challenges faced by healthcare professionals in this field, including the need for comprehensive cover against clinical negligence, legal defence, and business-related risks.
With the right insurance in place, medical cannabis clinicians can focus on their practice, confident that they are protected against the risks that may arise, and contribute to the continued growth and credibility of the profession in the UK.
Insurance for prescribing medical cannabis is an essential safeguard for you, your patients, and your professional reputation. Another safeguard is membership of the Society.
With MCCS membership, you get:
MCCS membership also ensures ongoing protection, including run-off cover for those entering retirement.
If you’re prescribing, or planning to prescribe, you need MCCS membership.
Join the MCCS now and get protected.
Q: Do clinicians need separate cover to prescribe CBMPs?
A: Yes. Private prescribing is not covered by NHS indemnity. Arrange indemnity insurance for doctors that explicitly includes prescribing medical cannabis.
Q: What should doctors check first with existing insurers?
A: Ask if medical cannabis is included in your insurance coverage. Get written confirmation that your prescription activity for unlicensed medicine is covered, or arrange a specialist policy.
Q: Is a medical cannabis prescription treated differently from other private prescriptions?
A: Yes. Most CBMPs are unlicensed. Adequate insurance cover is required before issuing a prescription.
Q: How can clinicians be sure their cover is valid for medical cannabis?
A: Join MCCS and use PIB Insurance Brokers. You’ll get tailored indemnity insurance for doctors prescribing medical cannabis in the UK, with explicit coverage stated.