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RACGP calls for consistent, simplified medicinal cannabis framework
The RACGP has articulated its view that the current system for prescribing medicinal cannabis products in Australia is ‘highly bureaucratic, time-consuming and expensive’ in its new position statement on the subject.
President Dr Bastian Seidel believes the RACGP’s recommendation for a simplified and streamlined prescribing process will benefit not only GPs, but also their patients.
‘The regulatory framework for medicinal use of cannabis products’ outlines the RACGP’s belief that a consistent national prescribing framework should be developed and include:
- a user-friendly, single-step approval process that acts as a submission portal to all relevant authorities (ie federal and state/territory regulators)
- efficient and timely processing of requests
- legislative consistency between federal and state/territory governments regarding access to medicinal cannabis products
- education and training in relation to the regulatory requirements and prescribing processes of medicinal cannabis products
- a process whereby GPs should be treated like other specialists and have the autonomy to determine when it is appropriate to prescribe to eligible patients
- a consideration of introduction of approved medicinal cannabis products on real-time prescribing systems.
The RACGP feels that while the regulatory and prescribing regime must be robust to ensure appropriate clinical access within the confines of the legislation, the prescribing process should be fit for purpose. The college is advocating for the simplification and streamlining of regulatory processes for eligible patients, which it believes will reduce variation due to differing jurisdictional processes and ensure patient welfare is at the centre of this area of medicine.
‘The current regulatory complexities and differences between states and territories regarding accessing medicinal cannabis products are significant barriers for GPs and patients,’ RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel told
newsGP. ‘The RACGP’s recommendation for a simplified and streamlined prescribing process will benefit not only GPs, but their patients throughout the community.’
The RACGP has also called for greater GP and patient access to evidenced-based information and educational material, as well as the inclusion of medicinal cannabis products in real-time prescribing systems.
The release of the new RACGP statement follows
last week’s announcement by New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt of a significant overhaul of the application process for medicinal cannabis in NSW. Dr Bastian Seidel is supportive of the NSW decision.
‘For too long there has been too much political interference in patient access to medicinal cannabis. The announcement removes some of this interference and brings NSW patients a step closer to an efficient and sensible process for access,’ Dr Seidel told
newsGP last week.
‘If I have a patient who has tried all standard treatment options without success, I should be able to consider prescribing medicinal cannabis as a viable treatment option without having to wait months.’
RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel will be discussing the issue of medicinal cannabis on the ABC’s 7.30 on Wednesday 7 March.
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