What does MHRA stand for?
MHRA: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
The UK government agency responsible for ensuring medicines and medical devices are safe and effective. The MHRA licenses medicines and oversees the supply of controlled drugs including CBPMs.
Related terms
- ACMD (Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs)
An independent expert body that advises the UK government on drug policy, including recommending the 2018 rescheduling of cannabis to allow medical prescribing.
- CBPM (Cannabis-Based Medicinal Product)
The legal term in UK law for any preparation containing cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabinol, or cannabinol derivative produced for medicinal use. Defined in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 as amended in 2018.
- Drug Driving (Section 5A Road Traffic Act 1988)
The UK law making it an offence to drive with certain controlled drugs above specified limits in the blood. For THC, the limit is 2 micrograms per litre. A medical defence exists for those with a valid prescription who are not impaired.
- GMC (General Medical Council)
The body that regulates doctors in the UK. Only doctors on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe CBPMs. GPs, who are not on the Specialist Register, cannot prescribe medical cannabis.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
The primary UK law governing controlled substances. Cannabis remains a Class B drug under this Act. The 2018 amendment was to the separate Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 — it changed what could be prescribed, but didn't change cannabis's legal classification itself.
This is a plain-language definition for general understanding, not medical or legal advice.
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