The production of prescription medicinal cannabis is subject to the most stringent requirements to protect the health and safety of patients. Producers are required to utilise good production practices in their facility and all products are subject to external testing to ensure it is within TGA accepted tolerance limits and is free from solvents, pesticides, and microbes.
Since the majority of prescription medicinal cannabis is unapproved in Australia, the PBS does not cover the cost for patients. However, 81% of Australian health funds cover medicinal cannabis prescribed via the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or AP programs. Medicinal cannabis is usually covered under Extras (non-PBS pharmacy/pharmaceuticals).¹
What is important to note is that most insurers require the product to be prescribed via the SAS which means that patients using compounded products may not get reimbursed. For more information on PBS and private health cover for legal medicinal cannabis, click here.
1. URL https://honahlee.com.au/articles/health-insurance-cover-cbd-cannabis/ (accessed 7.6.21).
In December 2020, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced a final decision to down-schedule certain low dose cannabidiol (CBD) preparations from Schedule 4 (Prescription Medicine) to Schedule 3 (Pharmacist Only Medicine). These products must contain at least 98% CBD and 2% or less of other cannabinoids found in cannabis, with a maximum daily dose of 150 mg, and packaged for a 30-day supply for patients over 18 years.
Clinical trials are important for discovering new treatments for conditions such as chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety. The trials provide valuable information to detect, diagnose, and manage these and other conditions.
Clinical trials can show researchers what does and doesn’t work in humans so helps to grow the knowledge base about medicinal cannabis so that patients can receive the best treatment for their condition including chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety.
The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (https://www.anzctr.org.au/) is an online registry of clinical trials being undertaken in Australia, and elsewhere. The search function on ANZCTR website enables you to search for medicinal cannabis trials taking place in Australia.
Medicinal cannabis has been legal in Australia since 2016. Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), allows GPs and Specialists to prescribe medicinal cannabis to patients when approved treatments have been ineffective or not tolerated due to side effects.
The TGA provides information for patients about medicinal cannabis products here.
Learn more from the TGA
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