A program to reduce the cost of medicinal cannabis for concession card holders has been launched by honahlee.
Through Scripts by honahlee, a platform which connects eScript holders with pharmacies, the program will offer discounts of up to $40 on selected medicine.
Approximately 40 brands have agreed to offer concession pricing – some exclusive to honahlee – with more tipped to join as the initiative develops.
Orders for the reduced-price medicine can be placed with 50 pharmacies on the Scripts platform, a number which is forecast to double over the next six months.
But honahlee warned that patients who currently access their medicine via a closed-loop model may miss out.
“If either their eScript or TGA approval is not accessible by Scripts by honahlee pharmacies, they may not be able to access the program,” it said.
To access discounted rates, patients must have possession of their eScript and ensure the prescriber is willing to provide their SAS-B or Authorised Prescriber letter to participating pharmacies.
Honahlee said the technology behind the program ensures pharmacies can verify patients’ concession status before they order the medicine, a measure “designed to maintain integrity and transparency in accordance with professional standards and regulatory requirements”.
The co-founder of honahlee, Tom Brown, said administering concession pricing programs in the industry has often been complicated.
“While there are great programs like Compass, existing concession pricing initiatives are limited in number and scope,” he said. “Where they exist, a lack of visibility for patients and healthcare providers, combined with administrative burdens, has meant these programs have not been widely accessible. We intend to change that.”
In addition to cost savings for patients, the benefits spruiked by honahlee include reduced administrative burden on prescribers and suppliers and an “efficient, scalable framework for industry partners to participate”.
One of the participating suppliers, Quest Biotech Pharma, praised the program for putting patients first.
“The program is helping us to achieve our goal of partnering with like-minded suppliers and pharmacies, to allow patients to have better access to more affordable medicines. Putting patients first is of utmost importance,” chief executive Damian Wood said.
Eligible concessions include a Health Care Card, Seniors Health Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans Card (DVA) and Closing the Gap.
Product suppliers interested in offering concession prices to patients can email he***@**********om.au.