All your questions answered on prescribing medicinal cannabis safely and ethically.
Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry is rapidly growing, with hundreds of thousands of patients now receiving prescriptions for over 400 products.
Keeping pace with this growth is challenging, but meeting patients’ needs ethically, responsibly, and safely is crucial.
United in Compassion is an Australian charity that began the conversation to legalise medicinal cannabis in Australia in 2014. It prides itself in promoting educational events that are based on serving the best interests of patients.
The year 2024 marked significant regulatory actions, including warnings, reprimands, and the initiation of legal proceedings by the TGA, as well as stringent measures on prescribers and dispensaries by Professional and State Regulators such as AHPRA and the PSU.
The directive to the medicinal cannabis sector is unequivocal: it is imperative to rectify some poor industry behaviours and prescribing practices. This entails adherence to professional guidelines and compliance with both State and Federal Regulations, prioritizing patient safety above all else.
The topics of safety and compliance will feature prominently throughout the extensive program at this year’s Australian Medicinal Cannabis Symposium. The Symposium, known affectionately as UIC2025, will take place at the Brisbane Royal International Convention Centre from 21-23 February.
Practitioners who are new to the field of medicinal cannabis will have the opportunity to participate in an introductory training on medicinal cannabis, which is accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
It will also provide the opportunity to make connections with peers in the sector and be exposed to support networks for the future. This training will be on Friday 21 February from 8.45am to 5.15pm. Spaces are limited.
The course aims to equip you with the competencies required to prescribe medicinal cannabis confidently. It includes comprehensive coverage of regulatory and professional guidelines to ensure that you uphold safety standards and operate within your professional boundaries. The course material in brand agnostic and developed by practitioners free of industry influence.
You can then choose to stay on for two more days of accredited content featuring presentations from global and Australian scientists and health practitioners, presenting on condition specific topics such as medicinal cannabis use in the elderly, the risks associated with cannabis use and psychosis, using medicinal cannabis as a substitute for opiates and prescribing cannabis for patients with cannabis use disorder. The program is extensive.
Participants on the programs also include the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Office of Drug Control and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Current issues affecting Australian patients include drug driving regulation, and medicinal cannabis use by the veteran and first responder populations will also feature on the program.
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The event will also include an industry-specific program. Delegates will have the chance to observe the industry directly through a trade show, which will be held on site but separate from the educational programs.
All programs at the event will be focussed on optimising quality and compliance which is the theme for the symposium.
Social and networking opportunities will round out a most informative and enjoyable program.
