NPS MedicineWise has created a dedicated online resource centre aimed at health professionals who prescribe and dispense medicinal cannabis.
Developed in partnership with the TGA, the NPS MedicineWise medicinal cannabis hub consolidates relevant information and practical resources for health professionals into a single location.
The hub covers the amendments made last year to the Special Access and Authorised Prescriber schemes, and includes an FAQ section addressing topics such as what prescribers should consider before writing a script, how to use the TGA's online application portal, and when separate applications are necessary.
The hub also features a flowchart that outlines the five categories of medicinal cannabis products, details available resources for both prescribers and pharmacists, and walks through each step of the process from initial patient consultation to dispensing at the pharmacy.
NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Kate Annear said: "Any Australian-registered medical practitioner can apply to become an Authorised Prescriber.
"They can then prescribe low THC-concentration medicinal cannabis products to patients meeting the dosage form and indication outlined by the TGA, without an accompanying HREC or separate approval for each patient.
"Higher THC-concentration products can be prescribed through the Authorised Prescriber pathway with an accompanying HREC or on a case-by-case basis under the Special Access Scheme."