Medicinal Cannabis Consultation

Dr. Joanna Gutfranska is committed to providing holistic and the highest level of care to her patients. She now offers medicinal cannabis consultations in Hocking Medical Centre to allow patients to have access to medicinal cannabis.

Dr. Joanna is an Authorised Prescriber so patients do not need referrals and will not have to wait for the SAS approval to obtain the prescription.

What is Medicinal Cannabis:

Medicinal cannabis refers to the use of pharmaceutical products (or medicines) using the cannabis plant or chemicals contained within it to treat medical conditions.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) requires strict certification of all medicinal cannabis products produced in and imported into Australia.
The product prescribed by the doctors and dispensed from the pharmacy are formulated securely with quality assurance being regulated.

The main chemicals used are cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannbinol (THC). THC is a psychotropic cannabinoid compound known for its analgesic, antiemetic, antispasmodic, and psychotropic effects. CBD is a non-psychotropic compound known for its anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antianxiety, and sedation effects. Conditions medicinal cannabis & CBD oil may be beneficial for

There are many common medical conditions where medicinal cannabis may provide benefits.

For detailed clinical guidance about these conditions, please refer to Australian Government Department of Health TGA Guidance for the use of medicinal cannabis in Australia <https://www.tga.gov.au/publication/guidance-use-medicinal-cannabis-australia-patient-information>

Many chronic conditions may benefit from implementing medicinal cannabis treatment, Medicinal cannabis has been most commonly prescribed for:

– Chronic non-cancer pain to improve pain, sleep and neuropathic pain, including Osteoarthritis and other orthopaedic pain
– Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorder, PTSD
– Sleep disorder and Insomnia
– Symptoms related to cancer or cancer treatment – Fibromyalgia
– Multiple sclerosis to improve pain, muscle spasticity and quality of life
– Epilepsy to reduce seizures and quality of life
– Palliative care for Alzheimer’s disease and advanced cancer symptoms
– Chronic conditions causing nausea and vomiting- Conditions requiring stimulating appetite or increasing oral intake
– Inflammatory conditions
– Rheumatological conditions including inflammatory arthropathy and fibromyalgia
– Neuropathy and chronic nerve pain
– Chronic abdominal conditions including Crohn’s, Ulcerative colitis, Irritable bowel disease

Side effects of medicinal cannabis
The risk of severe side effects and the risk of dependency with medicinal cannabis is low. Depending on each individual patient, the type of product and the dosage, there may be potential side effects.

Eligibility Screening
Do you have a chronic condition (lasting more than 3 months) that has been diagnosed by a doctor?
Yes  No
Have you spoken to your regular doctor and tried conventional prescription medication for your condition?
Yes  No
Has the medication been unsuccessful in fully treating your symptoms, or does it cause adverse side effects?

Yes  No

You have to answer YES to all three questions to be eligible for the medicinal cannabis treatment.

How much does medicinal cannabis cost?

The cost of consultation is separate from the cost of the medicinal cannabis product.

The cost of medicinal cannabis can vary depending on the type of product being prescribed, the dose that is required along with pharmacy dispensing fee.

The average cost is likely to be between A$4 to A$10 per day. There is currently no subsidy available from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Some Private Health Funds may provide subsidy for medicinal cannabis. Please check with your health funds directly.

Medicinal cannabis and driving

Driving under the influence of drugs is a criminal offence. THC can be detected in the urine and may take up to five days to clear from the body. Depending on the type and dose of the medicinal cannabis, patients may need to avoid driving or operating machinery while being treated. Please speak to Dr Joanna about this.

Medicinal cannabis consultation fee:

Initial consultation: $250

– Medicare rebate of $75.75 is available for patients seen at the medical centre
– This cost of the fee includes consultation fee and administrative fee for TGA Subsequent consultation: $85

– Medicare rebate is available
– Can be done as Telehealth consultation or Face to Face consultation