New Regulations for Medical Cannabis e-Prescriptions in Poland

Teleconsultations have become an integral part of modern healthcare in Poland, allowing patients to quickly and conveniently access a consultation with a doctor without having to leave their homes.

However, in the latest decision of the Ministry of Health, access to some substances, including medical cannabis, has been significantly limited. From now on, doctors will not be able to prescribe medical cannabis during teleconsultations, which has raised many questions and concerns among patients.

Why were these changes made?

The decision by the Ministry of Health is a response to growing concerns about the abuse of the remote prescription system. The e-prescription system, while convenient, has opened the door to abuse, especially in the case of addictive substances such as opioids. Therefore, as part of the amendment to the regulation on narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors of category 1, medical cannabis has been added to the list of substances that cannot be prescribed remotely.

Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna explained that the ministry has accepted the comments submitted by the local governments of doctors and pharmacists. Initially, medical cannabis was not covered by the amendment, but after public consultations it was decided to include it on the list of substances requiring personal contact with a doctor. The aim of the change is to tighten the teleconsultation system to prevent abuse and irresponsible prescribing of addictive or psychotropic substances.

Medical cannabis– new rules

From now on, patients who use medical marijuana-based therapy will not be able to get a prescription remotely. An in-person visit to a doctor will be required, who will decide on further treatment based on a direct examination. This change is intended to provide greater patient safety and reduce potential abuse.

Medical cannabis has been compared to substances such as morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl, which also require direct contact with a doctor before prescribing. The Ministry of Health argues that although cannabis is not as dangerous as opioids, its use should be controlled to prevent cases of irresponsible use.

Who will be affected by the changes?

This change will certainly affect patients who previously used telemedicine to get a prescription for medical cannabis. Patients struggling with chronic conditions such as cancer, chronic pain, or neurological conditions, for whom access to medical cannabis has often been key to relieving symptoms, may be particularly affected.

They will now have to make in-person doctor appointments, which can be difficult, especially for people with limited mobility or living in areas with limited access to specialized medical care.

The number of stationary cannabis clinics in Poland is very small, which can pose a huge challenge for the tens of thousands of patients using medical cannabis therapy. This means that many of them, instead of seeking legal help, may be forced to look for alternative sources on the black market. Criminal groups, including dealers on platforms such as Telegram, will benefit from this situation, and patients will be exposed to products of unknown origin, which can lead to serious health problems.

Expert opinion

Opinions on this change are divided among experts. The Supreme Medical Chamber and pharmacists’ representatives support the Ministry’s decision, arguing that teleconsultations, although convenient, do not always allow for a full assessment of the patient’s health. Direct contact with a doctor is particularly important in the case of substances that may affect the patient’s mental or physical functions.

However, there are concerns among patients and patient rights organizations that the new regulation could limit access to treatment, especially for people who have previously used teleconsultations as their only form of contact with a doctor.

Critics argue that introducing more barriers to access to medical cannabis could lead to a deterioration in the health of patients who will not be able to see a doctor regularly. It is also possible that there will be an increase in trade on the black market, which increases the risk of using illegal and dangerous products.

The Future of Teleconsultations and Medical cananbis in Poland

The change in medical cannabis regulations fits into the broader context of the discussion on telemedicine in Poland. Teleconsultations gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they became a key tool in ensuring the continuity of healthcare. However, the growing number of abuses related to prescription machines forced the Ministry of Health to rethink the rules for access to certain substances via teleconsultations.

The Ministry is planning further changes to the standards of teleconsultations to better adapt the system to the needs of patients, while protecting them from abuse. It is possible that in the future there will be new regulations that will allow more flexible access to medical cannabis, especially for patients with chronic diseases. For now, however, the current regulations remain strict, and access to this form of therapy will require a personal consultation with a doctor.

Summary

The decision to ban prescribing medical cannabis during teleconsultation is another step by the Ministry of Health in combating abuses in the e-prescription system. Although this change is intended to protect patients, it also introduces additional difficulties for people using cannabis therapies. In the long term, it will be crucial to monitor the effects of this regulation and possibly adapt the system to the needs of patients to ensure safe and effective access to treatment.

The Ministry of Health has announced further work on teleconsultation standards, which may in the future bring new solutions that will take into account the needs of patients using medical cannabis. For now, however, patients must expect to have personal contact with a doctor if they want to continue their cannabis-based therapy. At the same time, there is a risk that patients will turn to the black market, which will open the door to dealers and criminal groups, and as a result, may lead to an increased risk to patients’ health.

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(Featured image by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi via Pixabay)

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First published in FaktyKonopne. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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