Dr. Walker asks the Minister for Health about making medicinal cannabis more affordable and accessible in WA, referencing a study showing its benefits. The Minister acknowledges the research and outlines existing support mechanisms and regulatory reforms.

AnsweredQoN 1452Legislative Council
Asked
15 November 2023
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

MEDICAL CANNABIS
1452. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister to a recent
research paper published by a combination of clinicians and academics based at
the University of Sydney and the University of Western Australia that concludes
that access to medicinal cannabis led to significant, clinically meaningful
improvements in overall health-related quality of life and fatigue in patients
with chronic health conditions.
(1) Will the
minister join me in congratulating the researchers concerned on the production
of what appears to be one of the largest studies of its kind to date?
(2) Taking on
board the conclusions that a range of chronic health conditions, as well as
anxiety, depression and pain, showed meaningful improvements over the course of
the study, what does the Cook government propose to do during the remainder of
this Parliament to help make medicinal cannabis more affordable and accessible
to patients here in WA?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The
government supports Western Australian involvement in high-quality research
across all medical therapies.
(2) The government supports access to approved
medicines for the Western Australian community through the commonwealth
pharmaceutical benefits scheme. For high-cost or unapproved medicines, the
government will maintain existing access mechanisms for patients in exceptional
circumstances through WA Health. The government is progressing regulatory
reforms to remove barriers to prescribing medicinal cannabis products, as
recommended by the Select Committee into Cannabis and Hemp.

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