MEDICAL CANNABIS
Armstrong Health is now offering consultations and prescription for Medical Cannabis.
In Australia, medicinal cannabis refers to a range of quality assured, pharmaceutical cannabis preparations intended for therapeutic use.
Medicinal cannabis products must be prescribed by a doctor to treat the symptoms of a medical condition or, the side effects of a medical treatment (e.g. chemotherapy). Medicinal cannabis preparations include tablets, oils, tinctures and other extracts.
Appointments and Assessments:
All appointments are prepaid
Initial appointment is a 20-minute appointment which cost $199 with a rebate $76.95
Follow up appointments is a 10-minute appointment which cost $99 with a rebate of $39.75
What to bring to appointment?
A health summary- this would be outlining treatments you have tried for the condition for which you are seeking assessment for
Filled out consent form (which you will have received from the doctor)
If a script is issued, they will need an AP which doctor will provide
What pharmacies can provide medical cannabis?
- Soul Pattinson Geelong
- Community Care Belmont
- Cottage Pharmacy, Grovedale
More pharmacies may provide with cannabis, you just got to talk to the pharmacist and the doctor about it.
Who at Armstrong Health can provide this?
Dr Arooj can now provide a full health assessment to determine your suitability for medical cannabis
New patients are welcome
Please also note that CBD is not a first line treatment. This is only used when other options are not working or causing side effects
Please call reception on 03 5211 4891 to make an appointment or for further details
FAQ
Patients, with many medical condition can be prescribed medicinal cannabis by their doctor, if they believe it is clinically appropriate.
You can only get legal medicinal cannabis products from your doctor, specialist, or by taking part in a clinical trial.
Your first step is to discuss medicinal cannabis with your doctor. Your doctor will decide:
- if medicinal cannabis will help you
- which medicinal cannabis product to prescribe
Your doctor will also need to complete forms to get the necessary government approvals.
Once approved, your doctor can write you a prescription. You can take this prescription to any pharmacy to have your medicinal cannabis product dispensed.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) doesn’t cover medicinal cannabis. The cost of medicinal cannabis can vary from $50 to $1000 per week. This depends on:
- your illness
- the product
- the dose
Medicinal cannabis is a controlled medicine in Australia, and can only be legally obtained when prescribed by a doctor with appropriate approvals.
Products being sold on websites claiming to be ‘Medicinal Cannabis’ products, cannot be assured of safety and consistency and may contain illegal or toxic substances.
There are various medicinal cannabis products available containing different combinations of active ingredients, suitable for different conditions. Many contain Delta – 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the cannabinoid known to have psychoactive properties.
The use of medicinal cannabis products containing THC may decrease a patient’s ability to perform some tasks due to its impairing effects on mental alertness and physical coordination.
As there is little evidence or guidance available about the recommended period of time between consuming THC and driving, it is recommended that patients do not drive or perform hazardous tasks, such as operating heavy machinery when taking THC containing medicinal cannabis products.
In addition, it is a criminal offence in Victoria to drive with THC present in your saliva, blood or urine. Patients should discuss the implications for safe and legal driving with their doctor.
Medicinal cannabis is most often used for the treatment of chronic pain (not related to cancer). This might include:
- arthritis pain
- lower back pain
- neck pain pain
- neuropathic pain pain (nerve pain)
Medicinal cannabis can also treat:
- anxiety
- cancer-related symptoms (for example, pain, nausea and reduced appetite)
- epilepsy
- insomnia
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
Research into uses for medicinal cannabis is happening both in Australia and worldwide.
In 2016, the Australian Government legalised access to medicinal cannabis.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates the supply of medicinal cannabis.
Most medicinal cannabis products are unregistered drugs. This means that they have not gone through the same regulatory process as other prescription medicines. More information is available on the (TGA) website.
To prescribing these products your doctor must have approval from the TGA. This can be via the Special Access Scheme-B or Authorised Prescriber Scheme.
Some medicinal cannabis products are registered for use in Australia, including nabiximols and synthetic cannabinoids.
The laws are different in each state or territory. This may affect whether you can get access to medicinal cannabis.
