Need pain relief? Pharmacists are unlikely to change your prescription for Catafast to Panadol. Yet this is the situation for those prescribed medical cannabis brands in Malta, as a shortage is forcing them to switch to weaker medications.
The cannabis advocacy group ReLeaf has highlighted a current shortage in medical cannabis brands Bedrocan and Pedanois, claiming to have received “distress calls” on out-of-stock medications.
Bedrocan and Pedanios are potent brands of medical cannabis, whose THC content – the primary psychoactive element in cannabis which also helps in reducing pain – is at 22%. But for neuropathic pain patients, the sole alternative medication available in pharmacies is Bediol, with a THC level of only 6.3%.
ReLeaf activist Andrew Bonello told MaltaToday a delay in the renewal of licenses to import medical cannabis was behind the shortage. Once importers get a hold of these licenses, they can resume importing the products, but patients will have to wait three weeks until the licenses are renewed and the products reach our shores.
Read more at maltatoday.com.mt