The TGA needs to stop using its Special Access and Authorised Prescribers schemes for medicinal cannabis to protect patients from harm, psychiatrists say.
Both schemes were created to allow patients with life-threatening conditions access to unapproved treatments of last resort, but the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists said they were being “misused”.
Condemnation of the medicinal cannabis industry has been widespread, but there has been less discussion on how to fix it. However, the TGA has now concluded a consultation, which attracted more than 800 submissions.
The college told the watchdog that the Special Access and Authorised Prescribers schemes had failed to protect patients and should be abandoned in the context of medicinal cannabis.
