New Zealand's Medical Council has launched an investigation into allegations that medicinal cannabis prescribers are falling short of acceptable standards of patient care.
Medical Council chair Dr Rachelle Love said the body has received complaints from patients who claim they were not properly informed about the ongoing costs and possible side effects of cannabis treatment.
The allegations also point to a lack of communication between cannabis prescribers and patients' regular GPs and other treating health professionals, including psychiatrists.
Speaking on RNZ's Nine to Noon radio program, Dr Love said: “Best practice would be full communication so a team can be around a patient and help them with their health choices and decisions that need to be made.
“Good medical practice generally involves talking a patient through all their available options which might include non-medicinal options and other medicines.
“With cannabis clinics, it appears that they are largely set up so a patient goes to them to seek cannabis and all of the available options are not necessarily discussed and full, informed consent has not gone through.”
Cannabis Clinics chief executive Dr Waseem Alzaher expressed support for the Medical Council's decision to scrutinise prescribing practices across the sector.
“We are pleased to see the Medical Council of New Zealand’s renewed focus on medicinal cannabis clinics and, with it, the opportunity to drive meaningful progress for the sector,” he said in a statement.
“We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively towards a shared goal of improving practices including streamlining patient medical information sharing that puts the safety of New Zealanders first.”
He added: “Patients seek specialist clinics like ours for expert advice on medicinal cannabis which shapes the education they receive as opposed to if they saw their GP. New Zealand’s industry is still in its infancy and has been slowed due to stigma.
“That’s why collaboration between clinics, regulators and the wider health sector is essential, and we look forward to working with the Medical Council to create a safer, more supportive environment for Kiwis.”
