In accordance with current TGA guidelines within Australia, generic scripts can be written for medicinal cannabis products, which can allow for product substitutions when necessary (meaning that you may be able to substitute one product for another if a specific product is out of stock):
These generic scripts must still include the following details:
SAS and Authorised Prescriber submissions for medicinal cannabis products are made by active ingredient category. However, prescriptions must be written for a product. It is the prescriber's responsibility to issue a prescription to the patient in accordance with relevant state or territory legislation.
Prescriptions for medicinal cannabis products:
- must include active ingredient name/s, strength, dosing amount and frequency
- include quantity of medication and number of repeats (if applicable)
- may include brand (trade name) of the medicine where clinically necessary
- may include any other formulation details clinically necessary
- must be in accordance with relevant state and territory legislation
- must be in accordance with the TGA approval
- Prescribers may wish to refer to the list of medicinal cannabis products by active ingredient category
Generic scripts are not written by all prescribers, and we recommend discussing this with your Doctor at your consult to confirm if you will have access to generic scripts. If you have been prescribed generic scripts, we recommend confirming with your doctor if your generic scripts are approved for substitutions and to have them note this in your next eScript.