The PGA and AMA raised their concerns in a joint letter to Minister Butler about excessive and poorly regulated prescribing practices, the long-term use of the special access schemes for medicinal cannabis, and the proliferation of prescribing and dispensing clinics operating outside typical care pathways.
The letter highlights reports about coercive practices by cannabis companies and adverse health outcomes — particularly among vulnerable populations.
Both organisations are urging Australia to:
- strengthen clinical governance through national safety and quality bodies
- support Australia’s peak regulator Ahpra in regulating poor prescribing and dispensing practices
- reform the special access scheme to restrict use to exceptional cases under supervision
- encourage sponsors to register products on the ARTG for evidence-based indications within the next two years.
In submissions to Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration — a review into the safety and regulatory oversight of unapproved medicinal cannabis products both organisations have recommended all medicinal cannabis products used beyond exceptional access be registered on ARTG, with special access scheme pathways reserved for genuine exceptions.
The submissions also call for the immediate suspension of Category 5 products containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) concentrations above 98 percent during the review.
They also support tighter controls on prescribing and dispensing, including volume thresholds for ARTG registration, dispensing limits for high-THC products, and specialist-only prescribing for higher-risk categories.
Both the PGA and AMA have requested a meeting with Minister Butler to discuss the issue.
