A Lancet Psychiatry paper published this week — the largest-ever review of the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids across a range of mental health conditions — found no evidence that medicinal cannabis is effective in treating anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The study comes amid more than one million prescription approvals and a tripling of sales of cannabinoid medications (including both cannabidiol [CBD] and tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] products) in Australia over the past four years, often for the treatment of mental health and substance-use disorders.
AMA President Dr McMullen told media this week the study reinforces the need for more robust regulatory oversight and stronger prescribing safeguards.
“The AMA recognises medicinal cannabis can be useful for some patients with specific conditions supported by evidence, such as epilepsy, chemotherapy induced nausea, or muscle spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis,” Dr McMullen said.
“However, there is little, or no evidence base for many of the conditions for which it is being prescribed, such as anxiety, insomnia, or depression.
“We are seeing the use of medicinal cannabis for conditions where it is contraindicated or where it’s use should be under strict and/or ongoing supervision, and our members are increasingly reporting serious adverse outcomes for patients. Medicinal cannabis should not displace proven, effective treatments, particularly in mental healthcare where evidence based therapies already exist.
Federal AMA has welcomed action taken to date by regulators including updated prescribing guidance, but our fundamental position remains that medicinal cannabis should be registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), undergoing the same rigorous safety, quality, and efficacy trials as other medicines.
