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

[kloud9]

Merl1n point cook pharmacy only charge an admin fee on the first bottle so buying 2 at a time should be cheaper

Same as at plant Med, you can put as many items on there as u like, oil n flower on the script /s

[merl1n]

Just found a related article on the ABC site

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-02/medicinal-cannabis-use-in-australia-black-market/12387408

[merl1n]

OK, so I've had a few conversations with the pharmacy ( a different pharmacy) and the info I've been given is as clear as mud.

The price varied with each call. My last script was $135 for 5gms.

I was initially told $119 for 10gms + $20 delivery and thought 'That sounds too good to be true' so I questioned it. 'No, no, that's the cost' she said 'But we need to have the script...' Today I got a Auspost msg, they'd received the script.

So I called them to have the script filled... …$223 + $20 delivery... ...which to be honest, was around what I'd expected it to cost. It is a bit cheap, but only just. Still damn expensive.

[kloud9]

Yeah ...

[Dingo-2008]

"....there are some real oversights in our medicinal cannabis situation at the moment."

Ohh Hell Yea.

Personally I think the present system is just there to placate the canna advocates (Shut them up) like, "Well, at least we're doing something..."

The Fed govt will drag it out for as long as they can get away with it, blaming everybody else for the lack of progress ie 'It's a state matter...' and yet federally it's still classed as an illicit substance. It really is a joke.

 

EDIT:

Later this afternoon received a  Dr's review call.

Now normally this would cost $80, but the cost has dropped to $50 for the consult

The dr has now written scripts for double the quantity, so now 10gm/script with 5 repeats and no further review for 6 mths

I haven't called the chemist to confirm, but I believe this will double the cost when I order a new script with double the amount.

Hi Merl,an  all the crew, every time I have a review they just charge Medicare for my consult.

I only had to pay for my first consult.

All the best to you all.

Regards,Dingo-2008.

 

You crew arn't wrong about the crazy prices on the cannabis medication.

[merl1n]

"...every time I have a review they just charge Medicare for my consult."

You lucky sod For me for months... ... (Well, since the whole process started) they been charging me $80/consult + all the application fees of course, but last month's consult was $50

Seems to me that every patient, every dr and every chemist, the costs are different.
Makes trying to compare and monitor a bit of a farce.

Edited July 4, 2020 by merl1n

[Aqua420]

Things are getting easier at least. After what i just went through the court system will most likerly make it mandatory for self medicated to now show proof they have perscribed canna when sentencing.

[merl1n]

We hope so Aqua BUT the costs can make it a bit exorbitant and that's just to get the damn approvals, let alone the medication itself.

Did you actually have to show proof hubby had the approval to the court? 

[Aqua420]

Yes including all receipts with costs, letter from the doctor,first TGA approval. Then approvals as his perscription changed. If it wasnt for that hubby would have gotten jail bue to 56 plants and Id be suspended sentence not a $400 fina and no conviction. The judge said no conviction fir hubby as well because of the medical proof.

[merl1n]

Can I ask what proof did you have to supply? GP's letter? A letter from the perscriber? a letter from the chemist? Or show the medication itself?

 

EDIT: OHH DOH, you've just told me that...Sorry ...'No sir, I'm not stoned..."

Edited July 4, 2020 by merl1n