The Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA) has chosen its fourth anniversary to formally launch its national compassionate access program, with Tasmanian Botanics committing close to A$1 million worth of product to the initiative.
Known as Compass, the scheme allows any prescriber to submit an application on behalf of financially disadvantaged patients to receive free or substantially discounted treatment for a six-month period.
Where patients remain eligible and are responding positively to medicinal cannabis, access can be extended beyond the initial term.
The formal launch was reported ahead of time last week following a webinar that outlined the positive outcomes of a six-month trial.
AMCA co-founder and chair, Dr Teresa Nicoletti said: "Since its inception in July 2020, AMCA has focused on patient access, believing that getting that right will benefit all in the sector.
"While several organisations run their own compassionate access programs, supply is often inconsistent.
"Compass will be the first truly nationwide program that allows all companies, healthcare prescribers and patients-in-need to participate. The centralised system will streamline access, ensuring efficiency and consistent support for patients."
Tasmanian Botanics is the tenth producer to pledge product to the program. The Hobart-based company will supply medicine to support 500 approved patients over 12 months, placing the value of that contribution at close to $1 million.
The company has also committed to donating up to 2% of its ongoing production to the scheme.
Other contributors include Humacology, Alma, Motherplant, Aura Therapeutics, BOD, Chemovar, Medibis, Mediquest and Medbox Pharma.
Pharmacies across the country are being invited to join the program.
Tasmanian Botanics chief executive Dan Howard said: "As one of Australia's largest producers, we want to do our part in supporting veterans and compassionate access patients who are unable to afford their treatment and who's treatment is not currently covered by government schemes.
"Our intention is to ensure prescribers confidence in the program by ensuring quality and continuity of supply for their eligible patients."
The launch follows a six-month trial conducted in partnership with Cannabis Clinicians Australia, Cannabis Warehouse and Dispense Direct.
The program operates on a three-tier structure. The first tier provides medication at no cost, the second offers free treatment with a $10 patient contribution toward postage, and the third requires a $40 per unit payment — of which $25 goes to the dispensing pharmacy and $15 to Cannabis Warehouse.
Although the scheme depends on the willingness of producers to donate stock, Cannabis Warehouse chief operating officer Eric Chan said during the webinar that it did not want Compass to become a "dumping ground" after revealing it received offers from suppliers for out-of-date product.
Nicoletti reiterated that AMCA's preference is not to accept stock with less than three months' shelf life, but said exceptions could be made in some circumstances.
"Donors are welcome to contact Cannabis Warehouse to discuss any stock they wish to donate and decisions can be made on a case-by-case basis," she said.
Prescribers will be expected to assess patient eligibility themselves, though a two-person panel will also review applications.
AMCA said practitioners will also be accountable for applying to the program, accepting and implementing decisions, upholding ethical governance and faithfully representing patients.
The association said the expectation is that most applications submitted will be approved.
"We trust prescribers' honesty with their patients' conditions and financial circumstances," Nicoletti said.
The path to launching Compass has been a long one, having first been raised four years ago through the 2020 Senate Inquiry into medicinal cannabis.
Nicoletti said Compass will addresses recommendations 18 and 19 from that inquiry.
Those recommendations called for the creation of an industry-led compassionate access scheme — a proposal backed by the Scott Morrison government at the time — alongside a system to provide Commonwealth subsidies until medicinal cannabis gains access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
The subsidies proposal was "noted" by the government but ultimately rejected.
