Prescriptions for unapproved medicinal cannabis products in Australia have quadrupled since 2019, with half issued for adults aged 24 and younger.
Researchers and GPs’ representatives have questioned whether the boom has led to patients taking cannabis for conditions where there is little evidence it is effective, given large gaps in the data and the role of cannabis manufacturers in promoting their product to practitioners.
Most prescriptions for medicinal cannabis in Australia are for unapproved products, which means they have not been authorized by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for legal supply.
Practitioners must apply to the TGA through the Special Access Scheme for permission to prescribe the products and show why approved products are not suitable.
To read the complete article, go to www.theguardian.com