Rachel presented a motion on the high cost of medicinal cannabis which is prohibitive for many patients. She asked that her Legislative Council colleagues advocate to their federal counterparts for the inclusion of medicinal cannabis on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS.)
20th February 2024 13:19
Victorian Legislative Council
RACHEL PAYNE — To move —
That this House notes that —
(1) Medicinal cannabis products are not subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), this means that patients must pay the full cost for their medication.
(2) The average patient pays roughly $300 per month for their prescription, but costs can be up to $4000 depending on dosage, the patient’s condition and the required product.
(3) These costs are increasingly prohibitive for many people experiencing cost of living pressure.
(4) The cost burden of a medicinal cannabis prescription forces people to go without their prescribed medication or turn to the illicit market.
(4) Calls on the Government to acknowledge that cost remains a significant barrier to access for medicinal cannabis patients and to advocate their federal counterparts for the inclusion of medicinal cannabis on the PBS.
[ENDS]
