IN AN
EMERGENCY
CALL “000"
Open 7 days a week
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 9am – 4pm
Sunday: 9am – 3pm
Plant-based therapies Melbourne
This article provides some useful answers to commonly asked questions about plant-based therapies. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor about why it may be recommended for you.
What is plant-based therapies?
Plant-based therapies originate from a specific botanical source. It contains an active component which influences brain activity and has the potential to alter perception and mood. The dried flowers and leaves of this botanical source can be consumed through smoking or ingestion for the psychoactive effects it produces.
Medicinal treatments derived from this botanical source, often referred to as medical treatments, are specifically formulated and prescribed to alleviate symptoms associated with particular medical conditions.
For individuals managing chronic or terminal illnesses, traditional medications may prove ineffective or result in severe adverse effects. Medicinal treatments derived from this botanical source may present an alternative option for alleviating symptoms related to numerous chronic conditions.
Medicinal treatments derived from this botanical source are available in various forms, such as capsules, oils, nasal sprays, or other plant extracts. Research into the potential therapeutic benefits of these treatments is ongoing worldwide. However, their use is subject to strict regulation in Australia.
What conditions have received approval in Australia?
Plant-based therapies has been approved for use for over 40 conditions in Australia. Approvals are granted on a case-by-case basis depending on a patient’s individual situation.
Some conditions for which plant-based therapies has been approved include:
-
Anxiety
-
Chronic pain
-
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
-
Fibromyalgia
-
Refractory paediatric epilepsy
-
Palliative care indications
-
Spasticity from neurological conditions
-
Anorexia and wasting associated with chronic illness (such as cancer)
To understand whether you may be eligible for Plant-based therapies, please speak to one or our qualified doctors.
Please note – Plant-based therapies cannot be prescribed for the treatment of cancer. However, it may be considered for treatment of symptoms related to cancer or side effects of cancer treatment.
Plant-based Therapies Melbourne Moonee Ponds
To access Plant-based Therapies, patients must gain approval from Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia. Your doctor will undertake a consultation with you to help determine eligibility and if approved, provide medical evidence to support your prescription.
If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment:
Who can access in Australia?
If your doctor believes medicinal cannabis is an appropriate therapy for your medical condition, in theory, any patient may be prescribed medicinal cannabis.
State regulations may limit prescriptions for certain conditions, to certain doctors or for certain forms of plant-based therapies.
Eligibility to be prescribed plant-based therapies is assessed on an individual basis by taking into account many factors in a patient’s history. This is best conducted by a doctor experienced in medicinal cannabis assessment and prescribing
How can patients access?
In most cases, plant-based therapies for therapeutic purposes can only be prescribed by a medical practitioner with an appropriate approval. If a doctor is not authorised to prescribe plant-based therapies products or is not sufficiently familiar with plant-based therapies prescribing, he or she can refer their patient to one of our experienced doctors. Once applications are finalised and approved, all plant-based therapies products are dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.
What is involved in the application – Once you have been evaluated by a doctor and prescribed a plant-based therapies, one of our care navigators will assist the doctor in completing the government application form. The form requires us to include the condition being treated, what other treatments have been tried in the past and the name of the GP or specialist that has been treating the patient.
How long will it take to get approval – The approvals are usually obtained on the same day provide a complete application is submitted including the verified current medical conditions from the patient’s current doctor. We advise patients obtain this to expedite the process.
Where can I obtain my plant-based therapies – Plant-based therapies products can be obtained from a registered pharmacy. Our team will work with a pharmacy that is convenient to the patient.
What are the cost?
The cost of plant-based therapies products can vary from $30 to $100 per patient per week, depending on:
-
The nature of the condition being treated
-
The product required and;
-
The dosage of the required product.
Plant-based therapies products are not currently subsidised by the Commonwealth Government. Some Health insurers may pay a portion of your prescription costs
Can I drive while being treated with plant-based therapies?
We advise that patients receiving plant-based therapies medication should not drive, work at heights, operate heavy machinery or work in situations where intact reaction times are critical for safety. This is because treatment with cannabinoids can impact response times.
Please discuss medicinal cannabis potential side effects with your doctor.
Plant-based therapies is not recommended in the following situations:
The following conditions are not compatible with plant-based therapies including:
-
Allergy, hypersensitivity to plant-based therapies or parts of the medication (e.g., the carrier oil).
-
Patients who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or currently breastfeeding.
-
Patients with certain psychiatric conditions such as psychosis.
Are plant-based therapies treatments safe to take in conjunction with other medications?
It is best to seek professional health advice when discussing issues around medications. This includes specifics on medicinal cannabis and interactions with your other medications.
Plant-based therapies
Melbourne Moonee Ponds
To access Plant-based therapies, patients must gain approval from Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia. Your doctor will undertake a consultation with you to help determine eligibility and if approved, provide medical evidence to support your prescription.
If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment:
MEDICINAL CANNABIS | MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGAL ISSUES
Legal position in Australia?
Yes – Prescribing of plant-based therapies to patients has been legal in Australia since November 2016. Individual states also have separate legislation regarding details of approvals and conditions that patients have that may be approved.
Plant-based therapies remains a highly regulated drug in Australia and growing or using cannabis without the relevant licences or authorised prescriptions remains illegal.
Regulation in Australia
Plant-based therapies in Australia, is regulated by the Commonwealth Department of Health through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Office of Drug Control (ODC).
Regulations are in place to ensure high-quality, consistent and standardised medications are available for Australian consumers.
Is legal for smoking and can I grow my own?
Is plant-based therapies legal for smoking – No. Patients will not be able to access plant-based therapies products for use via smoking products. There are potential harms in the inhaled form, which include carcinogens from smoke and by-products of heat and combustion.
For similar reasons, we don’t currently endorse vaped products.
Can I grow my own plant-based therapies – No, you cannot legally grow your own plant-based therapies for medicinal use, even if it has been prescribed by an authorised medical practitioner. In most cases, plant-based therapies for therapeutic purposes can only be prescribed by a medical practitioner with appropriate approval.
Plant-based therapies
Melbourne Moonee Ponds
To access Plant-based therapies, patients must gain approval from Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia. Your doctor will undertake a consultation with you to help determine eligibility and if approved, provide medical evidence to support your prescription.
If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment:
Plant-based therapies Melbourne – Moonee Ponds
Our doctors see patients from all over Melbourne for professional health advice in relation to Plant-based therapies . Our patients commonly come from North Melbourne including Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale, Aberfeldie, Essendon, Brunswick West, Flemington, Maribyrnong, Essendon West, Neddrie, Essendon North, Strathmore, Pascoe Vale South, Coburg, Brunswick, Brunswick East, Carlton North, Kensington and Maidstone.