Medical Access

[merl1n]

A couple of months ago I asked my GP about obtaining cannabis to treat my ongoing symptoms.

"Ohh ahhh, I don't know anything about the processes, I wouldn't know where to start..."

Being that I'm in SA and there being no clinic's here (our state Gov't (Liberal) still have their heads buried firmly up their own arses)  I thought the whole process would be a waste of time

I went investigating and found a clinic in NSW, who would go through the whole process online.

 

So after a couple of weeks of paperwork both from myself and my GP, today I got the call from the clinic and have had the initial approval.

I now have to obtain the approval from the TGA but from what I've been told this should not be a problem and should take less than a week.

The Dr I spoke to has told me that what he would be prescribing is a CBD and THC combination as my situation is pain related.

I asked the Dr about the cost of the medication itself as it is NOT on the PBS and I have to say it is NOT cheap.

The Dr himself would not actually tell me a defined cost but advised me to call the chemist in Victoria.

Upon doing so I was told $270/50ml + postage ($30), so $300 delivered. First thought "Fuck, it'd be cheaper to go buy an ounce" but have decided to follow through with the process.

 

At this point I have not been told of the recommended dosages, so how long that 50ml is going to last I am unsure.

I am also unsure if I may be able to get my local chemist to get it in for me or whether it needs to come from an approved compounding chemist, solely in Victoria.

 

So the processes have been started. The dr and the prepaid TGA approvals have cost me $550 so far (that's without the script itself), so let's see how much more it's gonna cost

When I have any further info I will let you all know.

 

Just thought others maybe interested

Merl1n

[merl1n]

I completely and totally agree Mick

The whole process of gaining approval is over the top both in the processes and costs. It's what happens when govt and big pharma take over.

[Aqua420]

Maybe its because I live in a major city but 3 working days is the longest its taken so far.

1 day to get the order to the pharmacy then depending on how busy they are 1 day to get here.

They have even advised me to order a week before hubby runs out.

Prices are coming down so thats good.

Under $300 now inc postage 150ml 20% thc

We didnt even go via hubbys doctor because hes anti canna so went straight through a place in Sydney via phone

 

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[seedsmanspain]

Maybe its because I live in a major city but 3 working days is the longest its taken so far.

1 day to get the order to the pharmacy then depending on how busy they are 1 day to get here.

They have even advised me to order a week before hubby runs out.

Prices are coming down so thats good.

Under $300 now inc postage 150ml 20% thc

We didnt even go via hubbys doctor because hes anti canna so went straight through a place in Sydney via phone

 

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I am paying that for 100ml, may I ask which brand?

[Aqua420]

Champlain THC

 

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[seedsmanspain]

yeah i get Champlain 100ml 20mg THC per ml for just under $300 delivered, I didnt know it came in 150ml as well

[seedsmanspain]

Given the large variation in price, maybe we could collect a few brands and prices here, not to promote any particular product but maybe help each other out in getting value for money.

One tip I can offer is that my pharmacy charges a processing fee on the first bottle of each delivery so purchasing 2 or 3 bottles at a time can save $100 or more.

Mick

[merl1n]

Hey Mick,

As canna products do not come under the PBS regulations I have found that it's all rather variable from pharmacy to pharmacy.

A local pharmacy quoted me $300 for the same product but at 1/2 the quantity of what I receive from an interstate pharmacy.

Some pharmacies charge for freight, some don't. Some also have a freight processing fee in addition to the freight costs.

Because it's not regulated the chemists can basically charge whatever they like and the costs seem to vary from order to order for the same product from the same pharmacy

When I queried why I was told, that's the cost. There doesn't seem to be rhyme nor reason. ie 'The computer says....'

[oldfark]

So the consumer has to stick to the rules , but the supplier can charge how much they like?

[Aqua420]

Untill its regulated basically yes.

Regulations are being drafted but its a case of the only way things will change is for more people to get medical cannabis.

If that happens then the government will be forced to put it on the PBS

 

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[seedsmanspain]

We all hope it will be PBS listed and yep the pharmacies vary in price a lot as well.

At the risk of stating the obvious its helpful to look at the price per mg of THC or CBD when comparing products.

Champlain 20mg/ml works out to 15 cents per mg for me and that's the cheapest I have found.

Vaping oil is not allowed as far as I am aware, would love to be shown I am wrong there!

Mick