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Who can prescribe: All medical practitioners in WA are eligible to prescribe medicinal cannabis products. For most people, a GP can initiate treatment. For some people, such as those with a history of drug dependency, children and young adults, the support of a suitable specialist will be required.
Most medicinal cannabis products are not registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This means doctors have to obtain approval from the TGA prior to prescribing these products. Prescribers of medicinal cannabis can use a single application process to fulfil both Commonwealth and jurisdictional requirements to enable access. See TGA Online and TGA Access to Medicinal Cannabis Products
Medicinal cannabis products which contain cannabidiol (CBD) only are classified as Schedule 4 (S4) medicines, termed prescription only medicines. State approval is not required for CBD only products.
Any medicinal cannabis product containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a controlled drug, a Schedule 8 (S8) medicine. There are rules doctors must follow when prescribing all S8 medicines. See Schedule 8 Medicines Prescribing Code
Who can dispense: Prescriptions written by WA based medical practitioners, for medicinal cannabis products, can be dispensed at any pharmacy in WA.
Pharmacies can obtain medicinal cannabis products from licensed suppliers, such as those listed on the Office of Drug Control website.
As with all prescriptions for S8 medicines, pharmacists may contact the prescriber to verify the prescription is genuine.
Which conditions are included:
Clinical decisions about whether treatment with a medicinal cannabis product is suitable for a particular patient remains a matter for the treating medical practitioner.
Importation from overseas by health practitioners:
Health practitioners can import cannabis-based products from overseas for the treatment of individual patients. However, importation must be approved by the Office of Drug Control
Patients cannot import medicinal cannabis products for their own use. This includes products that contain THC and products that contain cannabidiol only (often described as CBD Oil).
Commonwealth Approval Process: Through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) process.
Note: CBD Schedule 4 drugs only require TGA approval in Western Australia
State Approval Process: Western Australian Department of Health approval
Note: CBD, Schedule 4 drug, requires no specific approved from the WA Department of Health prior to prescribing.
THC and all other cannabinoids, Schedule 8 drugs, require state approval.
Cost: The price of medicinal cannabis products is not regulated by Government and not subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Only TGA approved therapeutic goods can be funded by the PBS.
Prescriptions must be dispensed as private prescriptions. Costs vary from one product to another. Suppliers and pharmacies should be able to provide details of expected costs.
State based information: Western Australian Department of Health – Medicinal Cannabis Frequently Asked Question information sheet
Information Source: Government of Western Australia Department of Health. Cannabis-based products. Accessed July 2020
Further information: Guidance for use of medicinal cannabis in Australia
Pathways available to prescribers include:
Both application pathways require strong evidence of the medicine’s effectiveness compared with alternative safe and readily available medicines.
Who can prescribe: An Australian (NT based) doctor who is authorised under the Special Access or Authorised Prescriber Scheme administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
In the NT, cannabidiol (CBD) products are Schedule 4 (S4) (prescription only), the same as medicines used for medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy etc. The prescriber does not need an NT authorisation or to notify that they have prescribed an S4 CBD medicine.
GPs wishing to prescribe medicinal cannabis must obtain prior approval from the TGA to prescribe an unregistered product.
Who can dispense: To be dispensed in the NT, S8 prescriptions must be written by a NT based prescriber (based on practice address on the prescription). Northern Territory Licensed Pharmacists are only allowed to dispense S8 and restricted S4 substances, such as medicinal cannabis, if the prescriber is practising in the Northern Territory (NT), as evidenced by the practice address on the prescription.
Which conditions are included: Access is restricted to appropriate patients with certain medical conditions where there is evidence to support its therapeutic use.
Commonwealth Approval Process: Through the TGA single application process.
State Approval Process: The prescriber does not need to obtain an NT authorisation prior to prescribing a medicinal cannabis pharmaceutical, although ‘notification’ to the Chief Health Officer is required if treatment is successful and the patient will be receiving the medicine for more than two months.
Subsidies: No Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies available – patients to bear the full cost of treatment.
State based information: Access to Medicinal Cannabis/CBD Oil in the NT Factsheet
Contact: (08) 8999 2633 or email chiefhealthofficer.DoH@nt.gov.au
Information Source:
Northern Territory Department of Health
TGA
Office of Drug Control
Further information: Guidance for use of medicinal cannabis in Australia
Revised: 27/07/2020
Who can prescribe: Queensland medical practitioners (and medical practitioners based in other States prescribing to Queensland patients. For more click here
Who can dispense: A registered pharmacist, that holds a current endorsement under section 64 of the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996, who has agreed to be nominated as the dispensing pharmacist and listed on the state-based application submitted by the doctor requesting authority to prescribe a cannabis-based product. A separate application must be submitted by the pharmacist to the chief executive of Queensland Health for a dispensing approval for medicinal cannabis.
Which conditions are included: There are no limits to the symptoms and conditions for which a cannabis medicine may be prescribed in Queensland.
Commonwealth Approval Process:
All therapeutic goods and products must be approved for use by the Commonwealth, either:
State Approval Process:
Most medicinal cannabis products are unapproved therapeutic goods as they have not been listed on the ARTG. Therefore, the treating doctor must obtain approval from the TGA to access the medicinal cannabis products to be used in a patients’ treatment.
In Queensland, any medical doctor is able to prescribe medicinal cannabis to a patient they believe will benefit from its use in their treatment provided they hold a TGA approval for the product for that patient.
As with other controlled drugs a Queensland approval is required for those cases where the patient is considered a drug dependent person and is seeking access to schedule 8 medicinal cannabis.
Access to Nabiximols (Sativex) in Queensland
Sativex is currently the only medicinal cannabis product registered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)—it is registered for use in spasticity associated with Multiple Sclerosis (Australia). In some other countries it is used for the management of advanced cancer pain e.g. Canada.
In Queensland, all doctors are able to prescribe Sativex without requiring an approval.
Complete a Request for Chief Executive Approval (PDF 398 kB).
Subsidies: No Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies available – patients to bear the full cost of treatment.
State based information: Queensland Patient Information For Accessing Medicinal Cannabis. Read more
Queensland does not have an amnesty for medicinal cannabis
Contact Queensland health on (07) 3708 5283 or email MCTeam@health.qld.gov.au
Information Source:
Queensland Health accessed July 2020
Further information: Guidance for use of medicinal cannabis in Australia
Revised: 2/7/2020
Who can prescribe: Medical practitioners can apply to prescribe an unapproved medicinal cannabis product through the TGA single online application process to fulfil both Commonwealth and South Australian Controlled Substances legislative requirements.
It the medical practitioner is not a specialist in the condition and is submitting an application, then depending on the circumstances, a report from the appropriate treating specialist on the use and suitability of the product in the particular condition may be required.
Who can dispense: Any SA licensed pharmacist can dispense the medication to the patient only upon receiving the original copy of the prescription and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval.
Which conditions are included: There is not a restricted list of medical conditions for which medicinal cannabis may be prescribed.
Commonwealth Approval Process: Through the TGA single application process.
State Approval Process: No state-based approval required for Schedule 4 CBD products.
A section 18A authority is required to prescribe a Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis product where it is being prescribed for:
Exemptions apply for:
Source: Medicinal cannabis – Patient access in South Australia
Subsidies: No Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies available – patients to bear the full cost of treatment.
State based information: South Australian Department of Health – Frequently Asked Questions Medicinal Cannabis
Further information: Guidance for use of medicinal cannabis in Australia
Revised 28/7/2020
Who can prescribe: Any NSW registered medical practitioner can legally prescribe a cannabis medicine if they believe it is an appropriate treatment option for their patient’s health condition.
Most medicinal cannabis products are Schedule 8 (S8) controlled medicines, but products containing CBD only are Schedule 4 (S4), prescription only medicines. Approval from the TGA is required before prescribing an unregistered S8 cannabis medicine.
The TGA may approve the supply of unregistered cannabis medicines under the following pathways:
From 30 September 2019 an application to NSW Health for a S8 cannabis medicine is required where it is for:
Who can dispense: Any NSW Licensed Pharmacist can dispense the medication to the patient only upon receiving the original copy of the prescription and TGA approval.
Prescriptions issued by NSW based prescribers are to be dispensed by a pharmacy within NSW.
Which conditions are included: There are no limits to the symptoms and conditions for which a cannabis medicine may be prescribed in NSW.
Commonwealth Approval Process: Through the TGA single application process
State Approval Process: No state-based approval required. State-based expert advisory approval panel dissolved in 2018.
Subsidies: No Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies available – patients to bear the full cost of treatment.
State based information: Cannabis Medicines: How to apply
The NSW Cannabis Medicines Advisory Service provides free clinical support and advice to all NSW medical practitioners considering prescribing a cannabis medicine. (02) 4923 6200
Information Source: Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation
Legal Access to Cannabis Based Medicines
Further information: Guidance for use of medicinal cannabis in Australia
Contact the NSW Cannabis Medicines Advisory Service (02) 4923 6200 or Email: HNELHD-CMAS@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation
Revised: 29/7/2020
Who can prescribe: Any medical practitioner in Victoria can prescribe medicinal cannabis for any patient with any condition, if they have the required Commonwealth and/or state approvals and believe it is clinically appropriate and have obtained the required approvals.
Prescribers apply for approval through TGA single online application.
Medicinal cannabis products are classified as either Schedule 8 or Schedule 4 controlled substances, and in most cases are not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Irrespective of registration on the ARTG, most medicinal cannabis products (other than pure cannabidiol (CBD – Schedule 4) will require a Victorian Schedule 8 treatment permit.
Depending on the product being prescribed, approvals may be required from the Commonwealth and/or Victorian government prior to prescribing.
A medical practitioner can apply to prescribe an unapproved medicinal cannabis product to a single patient through the Special Access Scheme Category B (SAS B).
If a medical practitioner intends to prescribe the same medicinal cannabis product to a group of patients with the same condition, then they may apply to the TGA to become an Authorised Prescriber of that product.
The Victorian Compassionate Access Scheme, administered by the Office of Medicinal Cannabis, within the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services, provides access to an imported highly purified medicinal cannabis product for Victorian children suffering from severe intractable epilepsy.
The number of places available for the scheme remains limited, with strict eligibility criteria in place to ensure this product reaches the most unwell children. Places are allocated by the Victorian hospitals participating in the scheme.
These children are the focus of the Compassionate Access Scheme because of their severe illness and the inability of existing medicines to adequately control their seizures. For some, medicinal cannabis has been able to improve their lives, and the lives of their families by reducing the number of life-threatening seizures they experience.
Who can dispense: Any Victorian Licensed Pharmacist can dispense the medication to the patient only upon receiving the original copy of the prescription and TGA approval.
Which conditions are included: No limits to the symptoms and conditions for which a cannabis medicine may be prescribed in Victoria.
Commonwealth Approval Process: Through the TGA single application process
State Approval Process: no additional Victorian approval is required if the medicinal cannabis product is classified as a S4 medicine. S8 medicinal cannabis products require a S8 Treatment Permit under the Victorian Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act is required if the person receiving the treatment is drug-dependent.
Subsidies: No Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies available – patients to bear the full cost of treatment.
State based information: Victoria State Government – Health – Medicinal Cannabis
Information Source: Victoria State Government – Health
Further information:
Information for patients and carers
Frequently asked questions about medicinal cannabis
Revised: 29/7/2020
Who can prescribe: In the ACT, prescribers must have approval from the ACT Chief Health Officer (CHO) and from the TGA to prescribe medicinal cannabis as a controlled medicine.
Prescribers may now apply for both ACT and TGA approvals to prescribe medicinal cannabis concurrently via the TGA’s online application pathway.
Medicinal Cannabis is a controlled medicine in the ACT. Cannabis products can be prescribed as schedule 8 ‘controlled’ medicines in the ACT when they are intended for medicinal use
Prescribers wishing to prescribe medicinal cannabis also need to obtain Commonwealth Special Access Scheme (SAS) approval from the TGA.
Who can dispense: A pharmacist who receives a prescription for the supply of medicinal cannabis should contact the prescriber to discuss arrangements for obtaining medicinal cannabis for the patient.
An application to the TGA and the Office of Drug Control may be required to obtain medicinal cannabis.
Which conditions are included: Under the ACT Controlled Medicines Prescribing Standards, medicinal cannabis can be approved for patients with the following conditions:
Applications will also be considered on a case by case basis for other conditions. ACT Health may refer these applications to the Medicinal Cannabis Medical Advisory Panel for advice.
Commonwealth Approval Process: Through the TGA single application process
State Approval Process: State-based approval required but can be approved concurrently with the TGA single online application form
Subsidies: No Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies available – patients to bear the full cost of treatment.
State based information: ACT Health Medicinal Cannabis
Information Source: ACT Health – Medicinal Cannabis
Further information:
Medicinal Cannabis – Patient Information
Medicinal Cannabis Scheme – Frequently Asked Questions
Revised: 29/7/2020
Who can prescribe: The Tasmanian Government acknowledges that if conventional treatments have failed, a relevant medical specialist may believe the trial of an unregistered cannabinoid product is appropriate. GPs will not be authorised to prescribe these products under the CAS because of the risks associated with using unregistered products.
The Tasmanian Government has developed a medical cannabis controlled access scheme (CAS). The scheme allows relevant medical specialists to be authorised to prescribe medical cannabis (unregistered cannabinoid products) in limited circumstances where conventional treatment has been unsuccessful.
Who can dispense: The medical cannabis product is dispensed by a Tasmanian health Service (THS) Hospital Pharmacy only.
Which conditions are included: The Tasmanian CAS does not identify any particular conditions which may or may not benefit from medical cannabis products.
Commonwealth Approval Process: Through the TGA single application process and/or the Office of Drug Control is required in parallel.
State Approval Process: Applications for authority to prescribe unregistered medical cannabis products will be reviewed by the Department of Health in accordance with the usual pathways for Schedule 8 substances under Section 59E of the Act or for Schedule 4 cannabidiol under Regulation 87 of the Poisons Regulations 2018.
Subsidies: No Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies available however, in Tasmania patients prescribed an unregistered cannabinoid product under the Cannabis Access Scheme will be able to have it dispensed by a Tasmanian Health Service hospital pharmacy and will pay the applicable PBS patient co-payment each time the product is dispensed.
Information Source: Tasmanian Government – Medicinal Cannabis
Further information:
Medical Cannabis Access Flowchart for Patients
Medical Cannabis Access Flowchart for Health Professionals
Revised: 29/7/2020
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