Regulatory changes were recently introduced in Western Australia for prescribing and dispensing Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis products.
Products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are considered Schedule 8 (S8) medicines and those only containing cannabidiol (CBD, the non-intoxicating cannabinoid) are Schedule 4 (S4).
Any doctor in Western Australia has been able to prescribe S8 medicinal cannabis if they believe it clinically appropriate – and if they have the required Commonwealth and State approvals. In most other states, only Commonwealth (TGA) approval is required. State approval is not required in WA for cannabidiol only products.
The situation with S8 products has now changed.
Earlier this month, WA’s Schedule 8 Medicines Prescribing Code was renamed to the Monitored Medicines Prescribing Code, and it now encompasses Schedule 4 (S4) Monitored Medicines.
Under changes that came into effect on December 12, medical practitioners can prescribe S8 medicinal cannabis products without the authorisation of WA Department of Health’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). However, prescribers will still need to obtain a patient-specific authorisation from the CEO before prescribing where criteria outlined in the Code are not met. Nurse practitioners can also prescribe medicinal cannabis products, assuming compliance with the Code’s requirements.
Another change is Western Australian patients with Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis prescriptions issued by interstate telehealth clinics or prescribers can now have their prescriptions dispensed at local WA pharmacies. Previously the requirement for was for interstate dispensing and postal delivery.
Commenting on the changes, Perth-headquartered medical cannabis company Little Green Pharma stated the reforms bring the state closer to national prescribing practices.
“These regulatory changes mark a significant step forward for WA patients, ensuring they have better access to affordable, high-quality medicinal cannabis treatments,” said Paul Long, CEO of Little Green Pharma.
According to a TGA dashboard, the total number of current and expired S8 SAS-B applications originating from Western Australia was 20,468 at the time of writing – but this is not representative of prescriptions or patient numbers. The top 5 indications for SAS-B applications were chronic pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, cancer pain and symptom management, and neuropathic pain. 508 unique medical practitioners have submitted an SAS-B application from Western Australia.
Regulatory changes were recently introduced in Western Australia for prescribing and dispensing schedule 8 medicinal cannabis products. Read More
