MedReleaf Australia has launched a concession scheme to make medicinal cannabis more affordable for around five million disadvantaged Australians.
Initially, two dried products meeting TGA standards will be available at a cost the company described as “significantly below the average unit price of comparable medical cannabis products in Australia”.
The scheme will be available to holders of pensioner concession, commonwealth seniors health, and health care cards via their GP.
CEO Russell Harding said: “Our intent is to take a step to extend the benefits of this medicine to disadvantaged members of our society who may currently find medical cannabis products cost-prohibitive.
“We believe this major initiative is both good business and the right thing to do. Doctors are now able to prescribe two dried medicinal cannabis products for their patients, available through pharmacies at about a third of the current average price.”
Managing director Cam Battley added: “We’re proud of the broad range of medical cannabis products MedReleaf offers to Australian doctors for their patients, and intend to continue to make new options available.
“One gap we have identified in the rapidly growing Australian market is accessibility for lower-income/concession patients covered by commonwealth programs, since most medical cannabis products are not reimbursed via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, so costs are paid out of pocket.
“Our objective is to expand the market by offering new high-quality products specifically for patients who may not have been able to afford medical cannabis previously.”
