Dispensed is being investigated by regulators amid allegations the clinic inappropriately prescribed medicinal cannabis to a patient who later took his own life.
The ABC reported that the patient had struggled with auditory hallucinations and was already on antipsychotic medication before being prescribed medicinal cannabis.
According to his father, his son’s regular GP and psychiatrist were unaware of the cannabis prescription, which he obtained through Dispensed.
Cannabiz reported last month that Dispensed co-founder Adam Younes had been banned from dispensing schedule 8 medications, while two Dispensed doctors had also been suspended.
The reasons were not disclosed.
Regulators are investigating two cases of inappropriate prescribing, one involving the patient who took his own life, the ABC said.
According to an investigation by the broadcaster, Dispensed continued to send medicinal cannabis to the man’s address, even after his parents informed them of their son’s death
It also alleged that another Dispensed patient was repeatedly sold medicinal cannabis despite pleas from his mother that her son had schizophrenia and was at risk of psychosis.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) previously confirmed conditions were imposed on Younes’ licence through immediate action powers. It has now confirmed two doctors working for Dispensed also had their ability to practice suspended.
Dispensed was asked a series of questions about the patients and its practices by the ABC, but said it could not respond “due to privacy and confidentiality obligations”.
It added that it did not accept the ABC’s allegations related to its conduct.
Since the events, some Dispensed patients have posted online about having scripts cut off because they were prescribed antipsychotics, or had a history of psychosis, suicidal ideation or illicit drug dependence.
Dispensed did not respond to questions about whether any reviews had taken place.
Cannabiz has approached Younes and Dispensed independently for comment.
