New South Wales branches from several national health organizations are collectively calling on the Minns State Government in Australia to reform prescription and dispensing of medicinal cannabis.
The state branches of the following organizations signed a recent letter addressed to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park:
- The Royal Australian College of GPs
- Pharmacy Guild of Australia
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
- Australian Medical Association
Their concerns include:
- Poor regulatory oversight, particularly around ‘vertically integrated’ cannabis clinics.
- The majority of clinics use brief telehealth consultations.
- There are clear conflicts of interests and clinics that only provide cannabis products.
- Patients are being prescribed these drugs inappropriately and “cynically promoted”.
- Profits are the only thing that matters, not quality of care.
Organisations report that the number of Australians who use medical cannabis has increased dramatically over a five-year period. It went from 18000 in 2019 up to more than 1 million patients by January 2017.
The letter gives examples of incorrect naming for medicines in relation to the above “cynical promotional” practice.
” The fact that medicinal cannabis products are being sold with names such as “Joker Juice” or “Gelato Sherbert” is highly inappropriate — these are prescription medicines, not soft drinks,” a letter explainer says.
According to the letter the patients have apparently been learning what they will need to do to be able to offer telehealth services that guarantee scripts.
These organisations believe that medicinal cannabis should be available in community pharmacies just as any other medication.
The use of medicinal cannabis is not a new concept, but the need for tools and a regulatory framework that encourages their appropriate and safe usage must be prioritised. said Luke Kelly is the President of NSW’s branch of The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. There is more to do to reduce the use of online services and remote healthcare that are often lacking in adequate structure, check and balances to ensure safe delivery.
A Therapeutic Goods Administration consultation on medicinal cannabis has entered its final stages. Submissions must be made by Tuesday, 7th October, 5pm. The consultation was triggered by a variety of bad prescribing or dispensing habits, including the case of a pharmacist who is alleged to have dispensed more than 2,600 cannabis products per day in one year.