What if I am not eligible for treatment?
If you are deemed ineligible for treatment the price of your consultation will be refunded in full.
Does my private health insurance cover the cost of consultation and products?
Not unless otherwise specified in your specific private health insurance.
Do Chronic Doctors allow compassionate access scheme?
Not currently.
Am I eligible for medicare rebate?
No, costs of consultations are private billing.
Who is eligible for medical cannabis therapies consultations?
To be eligible for medical cannabis therapies consultations you must satisfy the following criteria:
1. Do you have a chronic diagnosed medical condition persisting for over 3 months
2. Have you failed traditional treatment options including but not limited to: ineffective treatment for symptom control and/or undesirable side effects.
Who is NOT eligible for medical cannabis therapies consultations?
1. Children under 18 years of age
2. Pregnant women
3. Patients suffering from previous or current substance misuse/abuse issues and schizophrenia
What conditions can medical cannabis therapies be prescribed for?
There are no restrictions imposed by the TGA on the indication/s for which a Health Practitioner may apply to access an unapproved Medicinal Cannabis product for their patient. For more information, please see the TGA overview of Medicinal Cannabis and the SAS sections on their website.
How do I administer my medical cannabis therapies?
Your doctor will discuss the routes of administration of medical cannabis therapies.
Where can it be used?
Although you’ve been prescribed legal medical cannabis therapies, public discretion should be followed. Vapourising in a non-smoking area can cause confusion amongst authorities and result in unwanted and unnecessary time with the judicial system. Oral forms are easier to conceal, but as a general rule of thumb, be discreet!
What dose do I start at?
This will be discussed with your treating clinician during the consultation as the dose varies for each patient.
How do I increase my dose?
This will be discussed with your clinician during the consultation process. The optimal dose will vary between individuals. Determining the optimal individualised dose may take some weeks to achieve. It’s important to start with a low dose and gradually increase the dose over a period of time (also known as titrating). Record every dose in a dosing diary to find your individualised optimal dose.
How do I decrease my dose?
This will be discussed with your clinician during the consultation process. The optimal dose will vary between individuals. Determining the optimal individualised dose may take some weeks to achieve. It’s important to start with a low dose and gradually increase the dose over a period of time (also known as titrating). Record every dose in a dosing diary to find your individualised optimal dose.
How do I determine my optimal dose?
This will be discussed with your clinician during the consultation process. The optimal dose will vary between individuals. Determining the optimal individualised dose may take some weeks to achieve. It’s important to start with a low dose and gradually increase the dose over a period of time (also known as titrating). Record every dose in a dosing diary to find your individualised optimal dose.
How often do I dose?
The optimal dose will vary between individuals. Determining the optimal individualised dose may take some weeks to achieve. It’s important to start with a low dose and gradually increase the dose over a period of time (also known as titrating). Record every dose in a dosing diary to find your individualised optimal dose.
What happens if I overdose?
There is no achievable lethal overdose that has ever been recorded in the history of humankind. Ever.
In the case of taking too much, time is going to be the remedy. Finding a quiet, safe space to relax, as well as having a trusted person stay with you, will be beneficial. If worried please call 000. Please consult your prescribing doctor for more information.
What happens if you take too much THC?
In the case of taking too much, time is going to be the remedy. Finding a quiet, safe space to relax, as well as having a trusted person stay with you, will be beneficial. Distraction and time is the key as the “high” will pass. In case of overdose, please contact 000 and ensure you notify your prescribing doctor at your follow up consultation.
What happens if you take too much CBD?
CBD has a wide safety profile, which means overdosing is rare. Potential side effects may be extreme relaxation and sedation. In case of overdose, please contact 000 and ensure you notify your prescribing doctor at your follow up consultation.
Driving
Please discuss this during your consultation with your prescribing Doctor. The devices used in Roadside drug testing are able to detect various compounds for several hours to weeks after use. The exact time will vary depending on the amount and potency of the medication used, administration technique, and individual metabolism. Inactive residue in the body of a driver from use in previous days or weeks can also be detected.
Operating heavy machinery
It is not recommended to operate heavy machinery whilst under the effect of medicinal cannabis therapies.
Workplace drug screening
Various compounds will show up in work place drug screening on the standard panel
As every workplace’s policies and procedures vary, it’s up to the employer to decide whether special consideration will be made.
Can I take my product overseas
The laws on legality of medical cannabis therapies vary from country to country, it is recommended you inquire with the local authority on the legality of taking medications overseas.
Can I Import my own product
You require a licence to import if you’d like to bring a product into Australia. You are eligible to bring in 3 months’ worth of prescription medication if you are travelling from overseas into Australia.
What happens if the police find me in possession of THC/CBD
Medical cannabis therapies are legal Australia-wide via a prescription from a registered Medical Practitioner. Each state and territory have slightly different laws which determine the relevant access pathways, thus it’s advised to check with your state or territory health bodies.
Why Medicinal instead of Black Market cannabis
Legal therapies are pharmaceutically graded and have to comply with the Australian standards. When purchasing black market Cannabis, you have no idea what’s in the product and it can generally have toxins or foreign matter in it. Medical-grade cannabis therapies are consistent and heavily regulated by Australian standards which are among the best in the world.
Can I set up and register my account for my family or friend
Yes, you can register as a carer for another individual.
Can the doctor provide repeat scripts or do I need a second appointment
If you are in need of repeat prescriptions after your initial consultation please book in a follow up appointment through the patient portal
Payment
At current payments should be made prior to your appointment. A payment link will be sent to you prior to your appointment for online payment.
How do I send you my GP referral or health summary
referrals and health summaries can be sent to info@chronicdoctors.com.au
alternatively on our website your GP can upload your referral at Referals – Chronicdoctors
How long does a TGA approval take
TGA approval generally takes 1-7 days
How long does my script last
Depending on your condition and through discussion with your treating doctor scripts can be provided up to 90 days.
How long does it take to receive my medication in the mail
Prescriptions will be sent to the designated pharmacy on the same day as consultation. Once payment is received by the pharmacy for your medications they will be shipped at the discretion of the pharmacy. Depending on pharmacy this can take between 1 and 7 business days.
Please allow time for shipping of products which could take 3-7 business days.
If I start taking new medications do I have to tell my doctor
Please consult your doctor prior to starting any new medications to assess if there are any interactions with your medicinal cannabis therapies.
What do I need for a consultation
Telehealth consultations will be conducted via phone. The only equipment required is a functioning phone
Follow up consultations
Follow up consultations should be scheduled to assess response to therapy. Please make your follow up appointment within 2 weeks of your initial consultation to assess need for dose titration and ongoing scripts.
Receiving your product
Please allow time for shipping of products which could take 3-7 business days.
Your product will be delivered to your designated address.
Repeat Prescriptions
Initial prescriptions will only be provided for a maximum of 90 days.
For ongoing prescriptions please book in a follow up appointment with your doctor to assess your treatment journey.
Which Pharmacy do you dispense from Brisbane Compounding Pharmacy.
What if I am not approved by the TGA
Most applications to the TGA so far have been approved. For other options please discuss with your treating doctor.
What happens if I have not received my approval/product after 10 days
Please allow time for processing of medications by the pharmacy and for delivery of your products.
For ongoing concerns regarding your product please contact your pharmacy.
Conditions to discuss with your doctor
Since medical cannabis therapies became legal in Australia in 2016, the list of approved medical conditions has grown substantially. There is no official list of medical conditions that the TGA approves for 100% of the time. And, in many therapeutic cases, more research needs to be done to prove the benefits of medicinal cannabis therapies. The following is a current list that the TGA has approved medicinal cannabis therapies for in the past:
Toggle #1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Toggle #2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Toggle #1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Toggle #2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Monday to Friday:
9:00am to 5:00pm (Queensland Time)
In the spirit of reconciliation Chronic Doctors acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
