The TGA's Self-Reporting System for Medical Cannabis Quality: Is It Enough?
Article Written by Adam Isaac Miller
Read time: 1-3 mins
In 2024, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently released a statement emphasising that all medicinal cannabis products supplied to Australian patients must meet quality standards. Whilst this is an important step towards safeguarding patient interest, the TGA's approach to enforcing these standards raises concerns.
In the release, the TGA stated that reports of substandard products can be lodged online via their website. This self-reporting system appears to place the responsibility for testing and quality assessments primarily on the industry and patients themselves. However, relying on self-reporting creates two problems. The first is it places the responsibility of policing onto the sector, and the second is that it creates a tall poppy syndrome dynamic, a phenomenon known to exist in Australia.
If the TGA genuinely wants to enforce these rules effectively, it must take a more proactive approach. Simply reverting to a self-reporting system does not adequately address the issues patients and the industry face. A quick scroll through online forums like Reddit reveals numerous instances of patients encountering various problems with their medical cannabis products and experiences:
Expired medication: Some patients have reported receiving medical cannabis products that are past their expiration date, raising concerns about the efficacy and safety of the medication.
Adverse effects: Patients have described experiencing chest pain and occasional vertigo after using certain medical cannabis products, which may indicate issues with product quality or inconsistency.
Packaging problems: Leaking and clogging of medical cannabis products have been reported, suggesting potential manufacturing or packaging defects that could compromise the product's integrity.
Clinic malpractice: Some patients have shared experiences of questionable practices at medical cannabis clinics, highlighting the need for greater oversight and regulation of the industry.
These real-world examples highlight the necessity for the TGA to invest more effort in overseeing the activities of the medical cannabis industry – and other medicines. While self-reporting can be helpful, it should not be the sole method of ensuring compliance with quality standards.
The TGA's statement on medical cannabis quality standards is a step in the right direction. However, the reliance on a self-reporting system may not be sufficient to address the challenges faced by the industry and patients, as evidenced by the various issues raised on online forums like Reddit.
If the TGA wants the industry to adhere to the rules consistently, it must lead by example and invest more effort in overseeing the activities of the medical cannabis sector.
Adam has spent a decade working with unregistered medicines, specialising in Cannabinoid Therapeutics, where he has supported the development, implementation and market entry of multiple cannabinoid product portfolios across Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Brazil. Before working in the medical cannabis field, Adam spent nearly ten years building various B2B businesses in education, investment, and medicinal cannabis, progressing through roles in business development, strategy, product development, and project management. As one of the early experts in Australia's emerging cannabis industry, he has consulted for private and listed cannabis producers and ancillary businesses since 2015. Adam founded and served on the board of The Medical Cannabis Council, Australia's first not-for-profit industry body. A graduate of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Entrepreneurship, he is a frequent public speaker and publishes a widely read industry newsletter. His expertise has been featured in major news outlets, including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review, Nine News, Startup Smart, SBS, SkyNews, MJBizDaily and other prominent publications.
Disclaimer: This information is shared with a global readership for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or business advice. All patient-related information has been de-identified OR fictional to protect privacy. Nothing in this article is intended to promote the use or supply of medical cannabis to members of the public.
