Product


Cannabis medicines may contain only delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), or a combination of both THC and CBD in different ratios. For information about scheduling of cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinols in the Poisons Standard, refer to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

There are a limited number of cannabis medicines that have been formally assessed for quality, safety and efficacy, either in Australia or by an overseas medicines regulator.

Cannabis medicines registered in Australia

In Australia, two cannabis medicines have been registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG):

  • Sativex® (nabiximols), which contains a 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD, for the treatment of moderate to severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis. 
  • Epidyolex®, which is a CBD only product, for the management of Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes.

Although approval by the Australian Government’s TGA is not required to prescribe Sativex® (nabiximols) or Epidyolex®, a NSW Health authority must be obtained to prescribe Schedule 8 cannabis medicines to certain patient groups. Further details can be found on the Pharmaceutical Services website. 

Cannabis medicines registered overseas

Marinol® and Syndros (dronabinol) is registered in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of anorexia in patients with AIDS and management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting where standard anti-nausea treatments have failed. It is a synthetically manufactured, THC only product. 

Cesamet® (nabilone) is registered in the US by the FDA for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It is synthetically manufactured and a THC only product.

Epidiolex® (cannabidiol) is plant-derived, and registered in the US by the FDA and in the United Kingdom by the European Medicines Agency for the management of Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, as well as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. It is a CBD only product.

Prescribing and supplying a cannabis medicine

In NSW, expert clinical guidance and cannabis medicine prescribing advice for community general practitioners and rural clinicians is available via the John Hunter Hospital Pharmacy Department.