Czech GPs now allowed to prescribe cannabis

Since April 1, all general practitioners can now prescribe medical marijuana for patients suffering from chronic stubborn pain.

Until now, only a few 250 specialist doctors were authorized to prescribe cannabis, which limited patient access. Under the new regulations, general practitioners are entitled to prescribe cannabis as a alternative to opioids such as morphine or fentanyl.

Petr Šonka, President of the French General Practitioners' Association, welcomed the change, saying Cannabis is far less dangerous and doesn't have as powerful an effect. It would therefore be strange if GPs could not prescribe it».

Who can benefit from the new regulations?

The patients suffering from chronic pain who do not respond to conventional treatments are the first to benefit from this reform. In addition, minors under 18 years old with oncological diseases or incurables will now have access to cannabis-based treatments as part of the palliative care. However, for other pathologies such as neurological disorders or cancer-related symptoms, prescriptions will continue to be managed by specialists.

Under the new law, a patient can receive up to 180 grams of dry medical cannabis per month, or an equivalent quantity in extract form. Another significant development is that patients can now receive a three-month reserve by prescription, instead of having to renew it every month.

Increasing demand for and use of medical cannabis

The Czech Republic has seen a steady increase in the use of the medical marijuana since its initial legalization in 2013. In the first year, less than’one kilogram has been distributed. In 2021, this figure had risen to over 100 kilograms., and 2023, it reached nearly 320 kilograms.

L’National Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction believes that’around 600,000 people in the country use cannabis exclusively for medical purposes, while more than’one million Czechs have tried it for’self-medication over the past year. Despite these figures, the total number of patients officially prescribed cannabis remains lower, suggesting that many still have access to it outside the medical system.

Supporters of the reform believe that the cannabis is a safer alternative at opioid analgesics traditional. According to Doctor Pavel Kubů, The new rules simplify the process for patients and reduce the bureaucratic hurdles associated with obtaining medical cannabis.

In addition, the health insurance companies cover a significant portion of costs since 2020, reimbursing up to 90 % of expenses for a maximum of 30 grams per month. At 2022, the General Health Insurance Company paid 17.2 million Czech crowns for medical cannabis treatments, for the benefit of’around 3,200 patients.

Still a long way to go

Despite the progress made, certain obstacles remain. Regulations still limit cannabis prescriptions for chronic pain when prescribed by general practitioners, whereas conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and HIV-related symptoms always require the’specialist approval.

Affordability is another issue. Although insurance covers part of the cost, the price of cannabis-based treatments can still exceed national drug reimbursement limits, making them financially burdensome for some patients. Pavel Kubů suggested that future reforms could include specialized facilities with dedicated funding to further improve patient access.