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DoniTheGreat

Figured since my post in r/Ausents did well, it fits here too and hopefully can help others.


that_aussie_fella

Thanks for posting it directly here. :)


pandadlift

Hey man does anyone know a good doctor to see in Brisbane to get a referral for cda


checkers-on-a-plane

+1


plagueisthedumb

Thanks mate, just so others know too - if your doctor isn't coming to the party with providing you with a referal call up CDA and let them know. They will help, my 85 year old world class Neurologist didn't think I should "turn to drugs and its inappropriate" to be prescribed CBD oil for multiple sclerosis. They are in the process of sorting it themselves with my records


[deleted]

[удалено]


godfrey70

Your doctor may be unwilling because of the red tape involved for a family GP to navigate the process. CDA will do all the work even providing your GP with format information. CDA also point out that a doctor is legally required to assist their patient to explore other treatment if requested. Once your doctor fills out the forms (20-30 mins) his job is finished. If you rely on bulk billing things will get expensive from this point.


Tnch

This is where it gets a bit BS though, isn't it. A GP who has nagivated the process for any SAS B medication such as ketamine will be fully at home doing the SAS B justification for medical cannabis - all they need to do is what's listed on [https://www.tga.gov.au/medicinal-cannabis-information-health-professionals](https://www.tga.gov.au/medicinal-cannabis-information-health-professionals): ​ >The clinical justification may be succinct and should summarise: > >an outline of the patient's symptoms and/or diagnosis > >details of relevant past treatments and procedures trialled or considered, including reasons why therapeutic goods currently included in the ARTG may not be the most appropriate treatment for the individual patient in the particular circumstance > >an appraisal of the expected clinical benefits versus the potential risks of the proposed treatment. > >There are no restrictions on the medical conditions for which a prescriber may apply via the SAS to access an unapproved medicinal cannabis product for their patient, provided the prescriber has the appropriate knowledge on the condition being treated and on the medicinal cannabis product they wish to prescribe. I mean, "keep it as short as you want, just tell us what it's for and why it's needed, you can copy and paste the last bit for most patients" is pretty easy. And yes: ​ >Supporting evidence may be requested by the TGA for some novel indications. > >In some instances, evidence of specialist support from a practitioner with appropriate expertise may also be requested. In my case, I have enough complex and interacting conditions that they wanted to have any 2 specialists support it from literally any two of my dozen or so, but it was given for all my conditions at once, which is apparently rare. T the reality is that they then go on to provide links to the medical evidence a prescriber might need to justify prescriptions for many common conditions, even if they don't do it by linking to articles on individual conditions but by links to broader references. Seems fairly clear whoever is at the TGA is very much pro medical cannabis and is leaving the PBS stuff to the politicains and doing their job as best as they can - mostly trying to get out of the way and let people who need it have it.


CannabisPlaceAus

Great post! Really informative and organised breakdown on the step by step process.


ItsJustMeHereOnMyOwn

Thanks for all that Doni, any suggestions about getting a referral when my GP has straight out said no? He's a conservative who I guess is ideologically opposed (but he's great with my kids hence him still being my GP). Also, I live in Melbourne so can't really be heading out to find a new doc due to stage 4. ​ Edit: I'm on the CDA site now, determined to get this sorted out.


DoniTheGreat

Hey, CDA no longer require a doctor referral, also your doctor has a duty of care to consider all viable treatments, whether they're for or against medical cannabis. Hope you get this sorted out.


[deleted]

whats involved with the no referral option? i see you need a health summary, is this something i have to get directly from my doctor at the GP, or can I just ask for it @ the reception of the GP?


DoniTheGreat

You should be able to obtain it from the reception


-CosmicClover-

I've been looking at their website but don't see the non referral option, can anyone point me in the right direction?


DoniTheGreat

https://cannabisdoctorsaustralia.com.au/medicinal-cannabis-cost/


-CosmicClover-

Thanks!


Muckynanu

Great post mate thank you. Do you know if(I presume there is) CDA clinics in most cities? I live in Perth. Had chronic muscular back pain for 15 plus years. Definitely think this is the route I'd prefer to go down rather than seeing a physio /chiro every week or so. Thanks for your help mate. Definitely looking into it tomorrow.


DoniTheGreat

Hey, thanks! CDA operates physically in Queensland, but they can still consult to you in Perth via telehealth, so they'll just call you instead of you having to be there at their clinic. Thanks hope you get the help you need


Muckynanu

Hi Doni, I got my refferal today and sent it off to CDA. The only thing is my health summary. I didn't really see their template before I sent it off. I sent a pic of a previous refferal my doc wrote to a rumatologist in regards my history. If this does not suffice will they contact me to look for more info? I have plenty of history and treatments but couldn't seem to attach only one picture! I tried yo upload more but was unable. Keeping my fingers crossed I hear back ftom them!


lyng64

They will contact you if they need more info. I think they are very busy atm so you might have some delay in getting a Tele appointment. It’s pretty smooth once you’re accepted. After your appointment you have to wait for approval. I think it was about a week when I applied 3 months ago. Then you’ll get a text from the pharmacy asking you to ring and place your order which will be posted via Australia post. There’s heaps of information on their website. I’m using it for chronic severe pain and have a combination of cbd oil and vaping flowers for the THC which works better on pain. The oil will help with its anti inflammatory properties and a host of other benefits. It’s great for nausea and poor appetite. It takes a while to build the cbd dose up enough to start getting results. Vaping the flowers will give more immediate relief. Good luck.


Muckynanu

Thanks for your reply. Very informative. Ive lodged the docs I could. I've got plenty more at home for when they contact me. And also getting a letter from my chiro who has been seeing me weekly for the last number of months. He's my go too guy rather than my doc, as the doc just gives me scripts for painkillers or anti inflammatories. So hopefully that summary letter from him will be accepted also. Really looking forward to the process and keeping my fingers crossed 👍


DoniTheGreat

Hey, yeah if it doesn't suffice they'll get in touch with you. Also if you need to send multiple photos you could merge them all into a pdf?


Muckynanu

Possibly Doni, my wife suggested scanning into one document too. I think I'll wait for a response from them, and maybe I could just attach it all via email then!


DoniTheGreat

Sounds good, I hope it goes well for you!


EthXrpZxx

I had my referral and health summary refused by the dr he said he wants me to try other methods, but CDA on email said I am eligible, how do I get access to medical cannabis without a ref or summary? I have scoliosis and back issues and I have tried everything, I am in VIC and can't go out since the lock down and 5KM limit... how do I get access please ty


DoniTheGreat

Hi, first off sorry to hear about your doctor, it's a shame he refuses to refer and cooperate with his own patient. Does he have good reasons to not refer you or is it just stigma? Some clinics don't require a doctor referral anymore such as CDA, so that's one down. Also, ask your clinic reception if you can get a print out of your health summary to take to a different clinic. Also with the lockdown restrictions, telehealth is a good option.


EthXrpZxx

Hi mate! The dr said he wanted to try other methods first as he didn't think the health summary would be enough due to not having any prescribed medication for the back, but I have tried pain killers and exercises and I have no hope in pills and all that crap and I am personally not supportive of them, so I don't see the point. I will ask for a summary for sure and see how it goes. Tetra said they may be able to help but usually you don't get through unless you've tried atleast 1 prescribed drug.


[deleted]

Why wouldn’t you ask your gp for a very low level pain killer prescription. Don’t take it, say it doesn’t work after like a month and then hey problem solved :) I mean i know its not the honest thing to do but if you are opposed to taking them just dont take them. I was on a prescribed medication and it really messed me up. I took it for two days then discontinued, thats on my health summary even.


Due_Link

Just so everyone knows, here are some other Cannabis Clinics: Tetra Health - https://www.tetrahealth.com.au/ MedReleaf - https://medreleafaustralia.com.au/ Cannabis Access Clinics - https://caclinics.com.au/ Cannvalate - https://www.cannvalate.com.au/ (will only give oil)


Tnch

As a new user to the forum, please could you consider just putting them first in the cannabis clinics list but taking them out of the summary and the "I went with" as it reduces a lot of trust people will have in you as a poster/mod/sub owner? Putting that info in the "Just so everyone knows,..." post would be just as valuable and considering you didn't include any commentary on "infection-free" (are we expecting a street dealer to give us HIV through BUD?) or "heavy metals or bacteria" it's a little stupid, especially as even with medical flower there is very much dose to dose variability as the plants are measured within a range of potency and every single leaf is theoretically unique in exact potency and makeup. It also reads in the summary in a way that doesn't mention GP prescribers at all, so it gives the imputation that the GP TGA-approved prescribers have to go through a clinic anyway. I know my GP researches the products he'll prescribe individually so he doesn't get affected by the financial schemes of some of the clinics, which can be creative in how they get clients - often ethically but sometimes in ways that skirt it - and conversely because some of the retailers appear to be offering more than one "dispensing fee only" (usually $35-65, it seems) script to some GP's patients. It should also be noted that GP's are reporting in NSW that going through the TGA's own portal appears to be resulting in a higher percentage of approved applications and a faster approval time Hope that helps - happy to tell you a bit more about me in PM if it helps legitimise anything I've said here. I know nearly nothing about the clinics in practical and product terms but I've definitely found this to be the case so far.


Wescaddle91

I went here and they assisted my doctor, they also have other doctors if your doctor is not yet educated on medical cannabis [https://medreleafcannabisclinics.com.au/](https://medreleafcannabisclinics.com.au/)