The Therapeutic Goods Administration recently released a consultation related to medicinal cannabis. A group in Australia launched a new campaign encouraging users of the drug to participate effectively in this process.
After growing concern that current Australian regulations were not up to the task, the TGA issued a paper for public consultation on the subject of the use and sale of medicinal cannabis products which aren’t approved. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, or Ahpra, published revised prescribing instructions last month after the Agency reported a marked increase in the number of poor practices involving medical cannabis.
The PatientsA group of healthcare professionals, researchers and industry advocates has created a resource for leaders in the industry to use. This campaign encourages patients and prescribing physicians to directly engage with policymakers and regulators.
The group claims that the TGA consultation represents a pivotal moment for the future use of medical cannabis in Australia.
“Real progress requires an honest dialog between regulators, patients and clinicians,” stated Dr Alistair Frame. The campaign aims to build that bridge for regulators so they can have confidence in safe, compassionate access.
When signing up for The Patients you will receive a letter that can be shared with local patient groups and sent to your local member of parliament to promote fair access and continue to provide medicinal cannabis. Additional resources, communications and a survey for patients will be available in the coming weeks. The data and stories collected will then be submitted to regulatory agencies to make sure patient voices are heard.
Kirsten Gassman, Medical education specialist at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, said that this campaign was exactly what the sector needed: a brand-neutral partnership. It’s a campaign that focuses on bringing lived reality to the attention of policymakers and not fear or ignorance. It’s time for us to come together.
The Patients are also worried about the proposals to legalise adult use.
No jurisdiction has ever protected their medical market and opened retail access to recreational products. No current proposals from either party adequately prioritise patient needs. We call for an innovative next step which truly centers patients.
The Patients’ website is still a work in progress. There’s little information about The Patients’ movement and its supporters.
Feedback on the TGA Consultation is being accepted until Tuesday, 7th October at 5pm.