Regulators Issue New Guidance to Curb Unsafe Medicinal Cannabis Prescription

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the National Boards have issued new guidance on 9 July in response to a surge in medicinal cannabis prescriptions and growing concerns over patient safety.

The guidance aims to clarify professional obligations and prevent harm caused by overprescribing and inadequate clinical assessments.

Ahpra revealed that several practitioners had issued over 10,000 prescriptions within six months, with one doctor writing more than 17,000. These high-volume patterns have triggered investigations, even in the absence of formal complaints.

Some business models, particularly those offering only a single product, have also raised ethical concerns.

Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner warned, “Some business models that have emerged in this area rely on prescribing a single product or class of drug and use online questionnaires that coach patients to say ‘the right thing’ to justify prescribing medicinal cannabis.”

Ahpra identified numerous deviations from professional standards, including consultations lasting only seconds, lack of mental health or addiction assessments, prescriptions for minors, and issuing multiple products to the same patient to let them try what works.

Many practitioners reportedly failed to consult real-time prescription monitoring systems or coordinate care with patients’ primary doctors.

Further concerns include self-prescribing or prescribing for family members, and only prescribing products associated with a practitioner’s affiliated company, indicating conflicts of interest.

Regulators stress control on medicinal cannabis prescribing

The guidance also reiterates that medicinal cannabis should never be a first-line treatment. Practitioners must develop appropriate management plans, ensure care continuity, and include an exit strategy from the outset.

Currently, most medicinal cannabis products are classified as Schedule 8 medicines, subject to the same controls as opioids. Regulators stress that prescribing must prioritise patient welfare rather than commercial gain.

Chair of the Medical Board of Australia, Dr Susan O’Dwyer, warned that some practitioners mistake patient demand for clinical need.

“We don’t prescribe opioids to every patient who asks for them, and medicinal cannabis is no different. Patient demand is no indicator of clinical need,” she said.

Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey AM, Chair of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, added, “Nurses and other registered practitioners must provide holistic care in all areas of their practice. They must take their professional responsibilities with them no matter where they work.”

Regulators are currently collaborating with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and state and territory health bodies to monitor prescribing patterns and stay ahead of emerging risks.

Ahpra encourages both the public and professionals to report unsafe practices via its hotline on 1300 361 041. The full guidance is available on the Ahpra website.