Nearly 15,000 Special Access Scheme applications received approval last month, bringing the 11-month running total to 166,000, with pastilles recording another month-on-month increase.
The November figure — the fifth highest recorded this year — included upwards of 8,000 approvals tied to THC category 5 medicine.
Dried flower held its position as the most commonly prescribed dosage form, with four in every 10 consultations generating an application for the product, while oil followed at 37%.
Pastilles, commonly known as gummies, continued their upward trajectory, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approving 1,480 applications for the edible format — the highest monthly tally of the year — accounting for 10% of all November approvals.
Inhalation products made up close to 9% of approvals, while capsules remained a marginal category, appearing on just 159 prescription applications and representing 1% of the November total.
The distribution of conditions being treated with medicinal cannabis changed little from prior months. Consistent with historical patterns, chronic pain (42.6%), anxiety (32%), and sleep disorders (11.2%) were the three most common indications, with depression (2.3%) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (1.7%) behind them.
By state, Victoria generated 41.7% of approved applications, with Queensland responsible for 34.3% and New South Wales accounting for 19%.
Patients aged 18–44 accounted for more than six in 10 approved applications, while those in the 45–64 age group made up 31% of approvals.
A total of 909 doctors submitted a medicinal cannabis application during November.
