Veterinary supply of CBD for Pets in the UK
Veterinary supply of CBD for Pets in the UK
There is enormous public interest in the potential benefits of CBD for pets as well as for humans, and some people are interested in (or already are) giving it to their pets - with or without their vets' knowledge.
In a recent blog, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate tells pet owners that the short answer to the question "Can I buy CBD oil (cannabidiol) for my pet?" is "No", on the basis that products containing CBD for pets are considered in law to be veterinary medicines. Currently there are no authorised veterinary CBD products available, and there is a lack of evidence on the correct dose to use.
The blog goes on to say that: "Hopefully after reading this article you'll understand why - but all is not lost, read on and you'll discover that there is a safer solution! ....Under the provisions of the veterinary medicines prescribing cascade your vet may be able to prescribe a legally obtained human CBD product"
CBD as a Human Medicine in the UK
In the UK, there is only one CBD-only product licensed as a human medicine (i.e. a product marketed for a medicinal use in humans). It is Epidyolex oral solution which contains highly purified CBD (100mg/mL) and is authorised for the treatment of rare forms of epilepsy in people. It's not cheap - the published NHS list price is £850 for 100mL and whether the formulation is suitable for pets is unknown - the pharmacokinetics of CBD are complex and highly variable. Also, there is insufficient evidence from published randomised controlled trials of a safe and effective dose in pets. Apart from Epidyolex, all other CBD products on the market for humans are unregulated food supplements.
Medicinal CBD for Pets in the UK
There is a key difference between the regulations concerning use of CBD for humans and those concerning use of CBD for pets and other animals: CBD that is not marketed for a medicinal use in humans can be sold as a food supplement, whereas CBD for any use (medicinal or not) in animals is regarded as a medicine. The blog goes on to say:
"If you are thinking of trying CBD oil and your vet considers that a human CBD product could be an appropriate treatment for your pet, they can advise on the specific product to buy and how to do so legally, as well as the correct dosage specific to the type and size of the animal. They will also evaluate and highlight any special precautions or potential adverse events for you to consider before going ahead with the treatment."
CBD as a Food Supplement in the UK
CBD is readily available in the form of food supplements marketed for humans. Up until now these have been unregulated, which means that there is no guarantee of their quality or how much CBD they contain. But new UK food safety regulations have recently come into effect which define CBD isolates as a novel food, and a process of regulation of CBD products by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has now begun. This means that companies that wish to market CBD supplements for humans have to submit their products for authorisation by the FSA, a process that will include assessing the composition and evidence of safety. So far there are no authorised supplement products available but there is a published list of products for which companies intend to apply for authorisation.
The Potential Dangers of Human CBD for Pets
In the meantime unregulated food supplement products remain on the market; they are supposed to be removed although there does not seem to be enforcement of removal. So at present, it is not possible to identify a reliable over-the-counter product. As a result, while it may seem possible to use such a product as a substitute for a dedicated CBD for pets - as described in the blog - without regulation of these products there is no guarantee of the quality or quantity of the ingredients, nor how a pet will react. CBD is difficult to isolate on its own. Unregulated supplements are likely to be contaminated with other cannabinoids - including THC - and therefore a human over-the-counter product recommended by a vet is not a safer solution than if a pet owner chooses one themselves.
The Legal Status of CBD for Pets in the UK
Even when authorised human supplements become available, as unauthorised veterinary medicines by definition, a recommendation by a vet to purchase a supplement would technically be directing a pet owner to break the law. The only way for a vet to legally supply CBD for pets is to prescribe (in line with the cascade) the authorised human product, or a veterinary special (an unauthorised formulation made by an authorised veterinary specials manufacturer) - although we are not aware if any such product is available at present. (Update: an authorised veterinary specials manufacturer in the UK, Pets Choice Ltd, is said to be manufacturing an oral liquid formulation of CBD). What is a veterinary special?
Our Reaction to the VMD Blog
That the blog directs pet owners interested in CBD to their vets is good, because it means that they can get accurate information about the evidence, the uncertainties and the potential side effects of CBD for pets. Raised liver enzymes seem to be a common effect, but whether this is simple enzyme induction or a sign of liver damage is not known - however, it does at least mean there is a potential for drug interactions.
Some pet owners have strong beliefs about the efficacy of CBD (maybe on the basis of their own experience) and also about the safety of 'natural' products. To the people who will decide to administer CBD to a pet anyway, vets can give advice about potential adverse effects to look for, warn about medications that might interact with CBD, and offer any other relevant guidance. However at the moment there appears to be no workable legal option for the veterinary supply of CBD for pets, and we fear that the VMD blog may fuel an expectation among pet owners that vets cannot meet.
Update (14 December 2022): an authorised veterinary specials manufacturer in the UK is said to be manufacturing an oral liquid formulation of CBD.
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