Now easier for doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis

Queensland continues to lead the way with the nation’s most progressive medicinal cannabis laws, with today marking the start of new legislation that will see some patients in the State legally able to access medicinal cannabis.

Palliative care, oncology and neurology specialists will now be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis to their patients as part of their medical treatment.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick said from today it would be easier for Queensland doctors to apply for access to medicinal cannabis for eligible patients under the Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Act 2016.

“In December 2015, the Palaszczuk Government was the first state in Australia to enable legal access to medicinal cannabis as part of Australia’s most progressive laws. The new laws build on that by providing a clear legal pathway for doctors to treat patients who have certain medical conditions with medicinal cannabis products,” Mr Dick said.

“Medicinal cannabis must be prescribed by doctors within a medical framework and, like all medications, it must meet strict safety standards to ensure its quality.

“While these products will need to be approved by the Commonwealth Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration before they can be supplied, these new laws are designed to streamline the application process.”

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said approved GPs and specialists could prescribe medicinal cannabis to their patients as part of their healthcare plan, whether these patients were in hospitals or their own homes.

“Research indicates that medicinal cannabis can, for example, help some children with severe epilepsy, and we want to ensure doctors have access to safe and legal products as an alternate treatment option. This is why this legislative change is important,” Dr Young said.

“This change also gives our medical community the opportunity to undertake research in the medicinal cannabis area that will benefit patients across our whole community.”

Last week the Federal Government announced it would allow the bulk importation of certain medicinal cannabis products by overseas companies that meet the required standards.

“While this move by the Commonwealth goes some way toward addressing supply issues, affordability of the product still remains an issue for many patients,” Mr Dick said.

“Our Government is doing all it can to access legal products, but while there is no domestic supply and no subsidisation under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), affordability remains an issue.

“Last week, I wrote to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt asking the Commonwealth to accelerate steps to make sure the product is affordable by placing it on the PBS.

“Until the Commonwealth Government adequately addresses these issues, the cost of medicinal cannabis will remain a concern.”

ENDS

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