Red tape madness

Some will even risk jail.

Statement from Minister for Health Greg Hunt

The Government's current system does allow access to legalised products which is clearly demonstrated by the significant increases in the Special Access Scheme Category B (SASB) approvals for the use of medicinal cannabis over the past twelve months (shown in the table below). Approvals under the SASB have increased from 299 in August 2018 to 2207 in July 2019. 

A number of states have also provided compassionate access to some medicinal cannabis products for small patient groups i.e. Victoria for paediatric epilepsy. The Government would encourage medicinal cannabis product manufacturers and suppliers to apply for inclusion of their products on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) for them to be fully assessed for quality, effectiveness and safety. Once on the ARTG the sponsor of the product can then consider applying through the independent Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC) to have their product on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).