Prescribing medicinal cannabis
Any doctor or nurse practitioner in Victoria can prescribe medicinal cannabis for any patient with any condition, if they believe it is clinically appropriate to do so. However, Commonwealth and/or state approvals may be required before a prescription can be issued.
For nurse and medical practitioners seeking to prescribe a medicinal cannabis product not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), approval from the Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is required. This approval can be obtained through either the TGA's Special Access Scheme, or by becoming an Authorised Prescriber.
From 28 February 2022, prescribers no longer require a Schedule 8 treatment permit from the Victorian Department of Health when prescribing a Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis product to non-drug dependent patients.
For drug-dependent patients, an application for a treatment permit can be madethrough the Application for a permit to treat a patient with Schedule 8 drugs form. Prescribers are still required to check SafeScript each time before prescribing any Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis products to any patient.
Visit the health professionals section for more information on prescribing medicinal cannabis.
Reviewed 14 March 2022
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More information
- Australian Government Office of Drug Control Information from the Australian Government about cultivation, manufacturing and product access pathways.
- Therapeutic Goods Administration Clinical guidance and information about the Special Access Scheme