Dr. Walker asks about access to cannabis for palliative care in WA, referencing UK data. The Minister confirms access is possible via prescription and agrees to consider UK findings for local patient surveys.

AnsweredQoN 345Legislative Council
Asked
28 March 2023
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

CANNABIS — PALLIATIVE CARE
345. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister to recently
released data from the United Kingdom which suggests that as many as 30 per
cent of patients accessing end-of-life hospice care in the UK are using some
form of cannabis-based product to ease them through their palliative care.
(1) What
provision is there for patients to access cannabis products as part of their
palliative care here in Western Australia, and what costs are associated with
such access?
(2) Are there any
figures to suggest how many end-of-life patients in WA are using cannabis,
either through a valid prescription or illicitly due to cost concerns?
(3) Will the
Department of Health take on board these latest UK figures and ensure that, at
the very least, similar canvassing of patients occurs here, allowing us to
broaden our knowledge in this important area of medicine?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Patients can
access cannabis products in WA as a prescription medicine, including as part of
palliative care. Costs are dependent on product, dosage and treatment schedule.
(2) No.
(3) Yes.

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