Australia

Medical cannabis has been legal for prescription in Australia since 2016, with access regulated federally through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Prescriptions are issued under the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or by Authorised Prescribers. Unlike the UK, GPs are permitted to prescribe medical cannabis once approved under these pathways, and many do so in private practice. Public (PBS) coverage is extremely limited, meaning most patients pay out of pocket. Consultation fees and medication continue to become more cost effective with most major clinics charging no consultation fees due to the increased GP bulk-billed prescribers. Price of medical cannabis products also continue to drop as more companies begin to enter the market lowering prices across a range of cannabis products and accessories.