Medical cannabis: the Ministry of Health has approved the list of diseases and conditions for which the substance will be prescribed

Medical cannabis/unsplash

The Ministry of Health has approved the list of diseases and conditions for which medical cannabis will be prescribed. The list will be revised periodically as new evidence-based studies become available

Medicines based on medical cannabis will be available only with an electronic prescription from a “primary” doctor or a doctor providing specialized medical care. Data on such appointment will be entered into the electronic health care system (EHS). This was reported by the department's press service.

List of diagnoses with which medical cannabis will be prescribed:

1) Chronic or neuropathic pain (R52.2) and/or spasticity (R25.2) caused by the following diseases:

• malignant neoplasms (C00 – C97);
• diabetic neuropathy (E10.4, E11.4, E12.4 , E13.4, E14.4);
• multiple sclerosis (G35);
• lesion of trigeminal (G50) and facial nerve (G51);
• neuralgia due to shingles (G53.0);
• damages of nerve roots and plexuses (G54);
• compression of nerve roots and plexuses in diseases (G55);
• mononeuropathy of the upper limb (G56);
• mononeuropathy of the lower limb (G57);
• polyneuropathies and other lesions of the peripheral nervous system (G60-G64);
• cerebral paralysis and other paralytic syndromes (G80 – G83);
• spinal cord injuries (S14.0, S14.1, S14.7, S24.0, S24.1, S24.7, S34.0, S34.1, S34.3, S34.7, T09.3, T91. 3);
• intracranial injuries (S06).

2) Nausea and vomiting (R11) due to chemotherapy (Z51.1) under time of treatment of neoplasms (C00 – C97).

3) Parkinson's disease (G20), de la Tourette syndrome (F95.2).

4) Refractory (drug-resistant) epilepsy (G40 – G41).

5) Diseases causing convulsive attacks in childhood: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (G40.4), Dravet syndrome (G40.4), tuberous sclerosis (Q85.1).

6) Weight loss associated with anorexia (R63.0) in patients with diseases caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (B20-B24).

7) Other diseases (A00 – T98) – exclusively by in the presence of the opinion of the medical and advisory commission.

Dosage and regimen of taking the cannabis-based medicinal product will be determined by the doctor individually, taking into account the age, weight, state of health, concomitant diseases of the patient and other factors.

Children can also be prescribed such drugs, but only under certain conditions. Under no circumstances will drugs be prescribed to pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Medical cannabis/Radio Svoboda

Also among the contraindications is increased sensitivity to cannabinoids or any other substance of the medicinal product. It is not recommended to prescribe cannabis medicinal products to patients with moderate or severe liver dysfunction.

Medicines based on medical cannabis can only be obtained with an electronic prescription from a doctor who provides specialized medical care. Data on such appointment will be entered into the electronic health care system (EHS). In addition, patients should stop taking cannabis-based medications if the desired therapeutic effect is not obtained within 4-12 weeks.