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

[misstishy]

I was a registered nurse until recently, and learned early that a lot (not all) of doctors talk out of their arses. But they hold the scripts. My daughter is talking to her canna doc this week and is going to ask them about flower products and vaporiser requirements. Cannvalate’s oil vape takes special catridges and reports usage patterns via a smart phone. Costs $295 plus $167 for the CBD cartridge.

 

 

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[merl1n]

OHHH FFS, "....Cannvalate’s oil vape takes special catridges and reports usage patterns via a smart phone...." NO WAY. That is WAY TOO much 'Big Brother' for my liking. Just the approvals was enough personal info being disclosed 

But to be monitoring usage via a smartphone app via 'their' device which you have to pay for???? Nahh, FARK that. I monitor my daily intake, no one else.

$167/cartridge?? How big is the cartridge?

 

There are other options available other than Cannvalate. I'd recommend you investigate ALL  of your options thoroughly. Contact the TGA, find out what you options for transferring your approvals are. Can they transfer approvals? Do you have to start the whole process again? What are the costs involved for the TGA and for ODC approvals? What are the costs of transferring (It maybe cheaper to start again in some cases)?

Then ask the canna dr the same questions. Some can have 'additional costs' hidden in their processes. Those approvals only last 12mths, then have to be renewed, some canna dr's will do the renewal automatically. Some don't, another cost to you. These are the sorts of things you NEED to know. And it's the same with pharmacies. My local wants 120% mark up, the cheapest I've found in my state is still 100% mark up, so I get mine from interstate. Initially that was QLD, but had fun'n'games with them (They blamed COVID. TSK), so now I'm getting it from VIC.

 

Remember, the government want to make this whole process as convoluted, difficult and a pain in the arse as possible, that way less people will go through the process. Then they can say "Well, there's no need for making it more freely available...    ... no one wants it, there's no demand.'

 

But I'll say it again "There are other options available other than Cannvalate. I'd recommend you investigate ALL  of your options thoroughly."

 

Merl1n

[BiggySmalls]

Hey, i thought i would give an update. I asked about getting medicinal cannabis from brisbane. I saw a gp and got two scripts. One for 50% cbd/50% thc flower and 1 for 100% thc flower. Im unsure of what im getting exactly and the difference between the two medicines. Cost of gp consult was $150 and meds will be around $300 i think for 30 or 60 grams. Will let you know exact details this week when it arrives at the chemist.

[1CrazieOzzie]

Thanks Merl1n for your update.

There’s a couple of pathways to access. I was checking out in the govt site TGA.

Sounds like you have been approved by the SAS B (Special access Scheme The GP applies for an individual access for your script approval.

The other way which I think is a bit quicker is if the GP does a course on cannabis prescribing he can apply to be an Authorised Prescriber, he can then write scripts for refractory chronic pain and/ or anxiety for patients without having to get an individual TGA approval.

Cost for the consults vary from $50 to $300.

Prices of product vary to

I got Highfields T20 oil so 20% THC. It’s 30 ml bottle at 20mg/ml.

Been trying it at 0.5mg twice a day, seems ok. Might try 1mg/ml twice a day and see how it goes. It cost $98.

 

 

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[1CrazieOzzie]

The RACGP oath that GP’s sign has a motto at the bottom of the document.

It says “The good GP never stops learning”

So why is there less then 3% prescribing cannabis?

 

 

 

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[merl1n]

“The good GP never stops learning”

Ahh, yes, but a great GP already thinks he knows everything (according to them anyway)

"So why is there less then 3% prescribing cannabis"

Because 97% of them follow the old AMA view "Cannabis has no medical nor therapeutic benefits"

 

When I started this process trying to find an 'Authorised Prescriber' and an 'Authorised Pharmacy' in my state was like finding rocking horse shit. I found one chemist, 150km away.

The processes have since been refined somewhat since then, but it's still an expensive, convoluted process. My canna dr is in Qld, all of my consults have been done online. The product gets Express posted to me from Qld. 

[1CrazieOzzie]

Yes I’m in Qld seems to getting easier here, but no doubt can still improve

 

 

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[merl1n]

Yes I’m in Qld seems to getting easier here, but no doubt can still improve

 

 

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Ohh hell yea, the prices could drop some more for a starter or even better, be under PBS.

[BiggySmalls]

Hey guys...i'll note my experience below living in SE Brisbane.

 

1. Went to GP under 1km from home and received a script for 60 grams and one repeat of 30 grams....Cost $150

 

2. Took script to GP and any order before 11am was delivered same day. Received 60 grams of cannabis. 30 grams of 9% CBD/9% thc flower and 30 grams of 16% thc flower. Total cost was $640 for 60 grams.

 

3. The 16% thc flower was actually alot cheaper than the 50/50 flower and priced at $195 but has a government subsidy making it $95 per 15 gram.

 

4. I have found a website where i belive i can pick which strain/meds i want in future and from which supplier. It provides all meds details and costs.

 

It was an extrememly quick process and i am pretty happy with it soo far.

Edited May 19, 2022 by BiggySmalls

[Faith]

Hey guys...i'll note my experience below living in SE Brisbane.

 

1. Went to GP under 1km from home and received a script for 60 grams and one repeat of 30 grams....Cost $150

 

2. Took script to GP and any order before 11am was delivered same day. Received 60 grams of cannabis. 30 grams of 9% CBD/9% thc flower and 30 grams of 16% thc flower. Total cost was $640 for 60 grams.

 

3. The 16% thc flower was actually alot cheaper than the 50/50 flower and priced at $195 but has a government subsidy making it $95 per 15 gram.

 

4. I have found a website where i belive i can pick which strain/meds i want in future and from which supplier. It provides all meds details and costs.

 

It was an extrememly quick process and i am pretty happy with it soo far.

Hi biggysmalls. What is the gov subsidy?

 

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