New Zealand approves first locally produced medical cannabis products

Last week, New Zealand health authorities began authorizing the use of locally produced medical cannabis products, thereby ending patients’ reliance on imported products. The Ministry of Health authorized access to local medications starting September 9, opening up a new opportunity for New Zealand cannabis growers and manufacturers.

Under New Zealand's laws legalizing medical cannabis, any licensed general practitioner may prescribe cannabis-based medications to any patient to treat any health condition. But since 2017, only imported cannabis-based medications were approved for use by patients.

«Until now, New Zealand patients could only be prescribed medical cannabis grown overseas, with the vast majority imported from Australia and Canada,» explains Tim Aldridge, CEO of cannabis producer Puro New Zealand.

Puro New Zealand grows organic cannabis at its facilities in the southern part of the country. Earlier this year, the company signed a five-year, multi-million-dollar agreement to supply cannabis to Helius Therapeutics, a company that manufactures cannabis-based medications cannabinoids at its facility in East Auckland.

«In 2018, the legislative intent of Parliament The focus on improving access was clear«, Doran said. «We’ve also worked hard to secure cannabis-based medications that are both grown and manufactured locally. This national effort to better serve Kiwi patients who have been suffering for a long time is finally a reality, and it’s exciting.»

«This is excellent news for many patients who have long been seeking legal access to medical cannabis products grown and manufactured in New Zealand,» Mr. Doran added.

Drugs Approved for the New Zealand Market

Helius Therapeutics has been notified by the Ministry of Health that two of its medications have passed quality standards testing, a requirement before cannabis products can enter the market. New Zealand already has 35 cannabis companies nationwide, with Helius Therapeutics being the nation’s largest.

Helius became New Zealand’s first medical cannabis company to obtain a GMP license for the manufacture of medicines in July 2021, bringing its first products to market three months later. The new products will first be launched in New Zealand before being rolled out internationally, with Europe and South America already identified as priority overseas markets for the company.

«Securing approval for medical cannabis products that are genuinely grown and manufactured in New Zealand is a major milestone for our industry,» Doran said. «Local patients and their advocates have fought long and hard for genuinely Kiwi products that are both high-quality and affordable.»

Aldridge said that his company spent four years bringing its operations into compliance with government standards.

«It hasn’t always been a walk in the park,» Mr. Aldridge said. «Navigating this new industry, getting to grips with the regulatory framework, and farming on a large scale has been a colossal undertaking.»

Although the work involved in developing a local cannabis production infrastructure has not been easy, he says that patients will soon reap the benefits. The cannabis-based medicines Locally produced drugs should cost patients half as much as imported drugs.

«We’ve seen significant delays and disruptions in the availability of imported products, as COVID continues to impact supply chains,» Doran said.  »It’s disconcerting for patients and prescribers when products that make a difference in people’s lives aren’t available. Products grown and manufactured entirely in New Zealand will help alleviate these issues.»