Dunne urges ‘open mind’ on cannabis prescribing

WELLINGTON: Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has written to medical and pharmaceutical groups to tell them to have an ‘‘open mind’’ about prescribing cannabis products for patients.

Mr Dunne said he had now written to organisations which represent doctors and pharmacies after earlier criticising medical practitioners for an overly cautious approach to prescribing cannabis products, saying many avoided it because of ‘‘downright prejudice’’.

His letter included a list of available cannabisbased products which were appropriate for use as well as a warning that his ‘‘ongoing expectation is that medical professionals consider the prescribing of cannabisbased products with an open mind.’’

It follows Mr Dunne’s move earlier this month to require the Ministry of Health to approve patients’ applications for the drug rather than a Government minister.

Medical Association chairman Stephen Child has previously rejected Mr Dunne’s claims doctors were motivated by prejudice.

Dr Child said while they might be cautious about untested or new products, he would be surprised if doctors were refusing to prescribe effective, tested products such as Sativex, which is used for multiple sclerosis.

Mr Dunne said good new products were coming on to the market but the list of cannabisbased products was short because of product availability and export restrictions on products from the United States.

‘‘Unfortunately, Sativex, the one pharmaceuticalgrade product that is available in New Zealand continues to be extortionately priced as big pharma continues to ignore the building resentment, both local and global, to the attitude these companies take to the sick and vulnerable.’’ — NZME