OTC cannabidiol ‘a risk for drug-drug adverse reactions’

Patients will need close monitoring if taking other medications, pharmacologist says

A plan to make cannabidiol available over the counter comes with the risk that drug-drug interactions will not be monitored, a leading pharmacologist says.

This week the TGA unveiled its plan to let pharmacists prescribe low-dose cannabidiol from 2021, assuming manufacturers have had cannabidiol products registered in the meantime.

Medicinal cannabis products are currently limited to the Special Access Scheme.

Under the TGA’s plan, which went against advice from its own advisory committee, pharmacists would be able to dispense a ‘low’ maximum daily dose of 60mg cannabidiol for a maximum 30-day supply.