Information about Treatment in Australia
Australian medicinal plants may be used for symptom management for a range of conditions where first line treatment options have not been successful, however these conditions and treatment options should be discussed with your doctor. Although it has been legal for a doctor to prescribe plant medicine via approved pathways to a patient in Australia since 2016, this type of treatment remains an unapproved medicine.
Discussing Treatment with your Doctor
As an emerging treatment in Australia, often doctors do not feel as though they have sufficient knowledge or experience to prescribe medicinal plants in Australia to their patients. Doctors may also be unfamiliar with the application and approved pathways.
It is advisable for patients to understand what options are available and to work together with their doctor to arrive at the most suitable treatment plan.
Learn more about the Veteran Access Scheme or contact us for more information or to book a consultation.
Considerations
Using illegal medicines not obtained through approved pathways to treat a condition can do more harm than good. Illegal medicines, including those that are ‘homegrown’ can contain unknown and variable concentrations of active ingredients that may contain potentially harmful contaminants. Plant based medicine should be considered only after standard treatments have failed. It is important to note that response to treatment can vary from patient to patient and your treating doctor may be required to make adjustments to establish the best treatment plan for your condition.
As the body of research regarding the use of plant based medicine continues to grow, so too will our collective understanding of the role that this medicine can play in treating various health conditions.
Prescriptions
This type of medicine can only be prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and must be accessed through special pathways overseen by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). These pathways are known as Special Access Schemes (SAS) Category A & B, and Authorised Prescriber (AP). Special Access Scheme Category A is for terminally ill patients, and Special Access Scheme B is for patients who are not terminally ill but need to access an unapproved medicine for their condition. Your doctor will assess whether treatment is right for you and where appropriate, access treatment through one of the above pathways. Your doctor may also need to apply for state approval, as rules relating to plant based medicine varies from state to state in Australia.
For further information about eligibility and access please visit the TGA website.
Treatment is not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme.
DVA funding may be available for some veterans. Find out more about the Veteran Access Scheme or contact us to book a consultation.