Patients, including kids to get faster medical cannabis access in streamlined script approval

PATIENTS, including children, will have easier access to medicinal­ cannabis, with the state government to drastically slash the red tape that dogs the current approvals process.

PATIENTS, including children, will have easier access to medicinal­ cannabis, with the state government to drastically slash the red tape that dogs the current approvals process.

State bureaucrats will no longer have to sign off on access­ to the drug, meaning wait times for doctors wanting to prescribe the drug will be slashed from months to within 36 hours.

It is expected to lead to a boom in applications from children and adults with ailments from epilepsy or cancer to chronic pain.

By the end of this month the approval process will be streamlined to a single application­ to the federal government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Currently patients have to find a doctor who is willing to prescribe the drug, tediously compile dossiers of application forms and then submit this to NSW Health and the TGA.

A stock photo of some Medical Marijuana Buds.

Since medicinal cannabis products became available in August 2016, NSW Health has received 104 applications — with nine knocked back.

After the changes come into effect, NSW will have one of the nation’s most streamlined application processes.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazard said he made the changes so bureaucracy would not get in the way of people accessing­ cannabis products.

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“It’s taking a machete to the red tape — not just cutting it,” he said. “I have been as frustrated­ as many of those who would like to use it and many of those who think it should be available.”

Multiple clinical trials of medicinal cannabis are under way in NSW. A hotline has been set up for doctors wanting to boost their confidence to prescribe the medicine.

“A single approval process enables a focus on the world-leading clinical trials under the state government’s $21 million invested into medicinal cannabis,” Mr Hazzard said.

“We are committed to supporting­ doctors wanting to prescribe medicinal cannabis.”

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the streamlined application­ process meant that doctors wanting to prescribe unregistered cannabis medicines would typically be able to get approval within 36 hours.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazard said he made the changes so bureaucracy would not get in the way of people accessing­ cannabis products. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Munoz

“This approach by NSW to cut red tape and remove barriers is a template for other states to follow,” Mr Hunt said.

“Strong safeguards remain in place to access medicinal cannabis but this move ends a duplication of regulatory requirements­.

“It means NSW will have one of the quickest pipelines to appropriate medical access.”

Currently the only cannabis medicine on the TGA’s register is Sativex, which also requires a NSW authority for doctors to prescribe it, as with any other Schedule 8 drug.

NSW Health will be notified of any prescriptions and will check the prescribing doctor­’s history to ensure they are not under investigation or subject to any restrictions. Doctors will be approved within two days under the process.