top of page

First NZ manufactured options for medicinal cannabis patients

  • Oct 6, 2021
  • 2 min read

Updated: Dec 9, 2021

Two new kiwi manufactured medicinal cannabis medicines will be available on prescription from Thursday after the Medicinal Cannabis Agency announced they have been verified as meeting its stringent quality standards.

The news couldn't come soon enough for kiwi patients who have been looking for more affordable options after transitional arrangements in the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme came to an end on September 30th removing the availability of 13 different products that failed to meet the quality standard.

The New Zealand Herald reports that the two new Kiwi-made cannabidiol medicines will be available on prescription from Thursday - 18 months after new regulations came into force, and almost three years after a law change triggering a new industry. And they're expected to be cheaper than imported medicines on the market, with pricing comparable to the CBD products that have been harder to access since the end of a grace period last week.

The New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council (NZMCC), an industry body, had stated recently that locally made products were expected by the end of the year.

"This is only the start of the journey, with Kiwi patients our priority," said Carmen Doran, chief executive of Helius Therapeutics, the company making the new CBD medicines. "They've waited a really long time for this day."

NZMCC executive director Sally King said the new medicines will go some way to address patients' concerns about limited choices after the end of the grace period.

"It is the dawn of a new era for medicinal cannabis in New Zealand," King said. "This should give prescribers and patients confidence that Ministry of Health-approved medicinal cannabis products made in New Zealand are reliable, high-quality medicine that can be trusted and supplied locally."

Patients interested in medicinal cannabis products and their options should discuss their situation with their doctor or pharmacist. General information on medicinal cannabis is available on mcinfo.com where Helius is the education sponsor.



18 Comments


Dorothy
Dorothy
Jul 27

It's fantastic to see New Zealand stepping up with locally attachment style test made medicinal cannabis products. The fact they're cheaper and meet high quality standards is a win-win for patients. I was just reading this on my commute and thought, 'finally, some good news for those in need.

Like

Tom Wang
Tom Wang
Jul 19

clean layout reference templates, and batch image crop quickly standardizes all product shot dimensions for printable patient handouts. These domestic formulations balance strict national quality standards with better affordability than imported alternatives.

Like

Tom Wang
Tom Wang
Jul 19

Local healthcare progress continues as New Zealand rolls out its first domestically made solutions for medicinal cannabis patients, offering more accessible and reliable treatment options. Many people balance reading health news with exploring fun hobbies, bulk download images pulls relevant reference visuals from trusted health pages, and bulk image edit online handles resizing

Edited
Like

ROBIN
Jul 15

It's great to see New Zealand expanding locally manufactured medicinal cannabis options. Having products made under strict quality standards can improve consistency, availability, and patient confidence. As the legal cannabis industry continues to evolve, it's clear that accessibility and transparency are becoming just as important as the products themselves. We're seeing a similar shift in other markets as well, where services like cannabis delivery in Cambridge are making it easier for eligible adults to access legal cannabis while learning more about different products before placing an order. Thanks for sharing such an informative update it's encouraging to see the industry moving in a positive direction.

Like

ROBIN
Jul 15

Great article! It's encouraging to see more locally manufactured medicinal cannabis products becoming available, as they can improve both accessibility and patient confidence. Strong quality standards, consistent production, and transparent information are essential for anyone relying on cannabis products. As legal cannabis markets continue to evolve around the world, services like cannabis delivery in Cambridge are also helping eligible adults access quality products through a convenient and reliable online experience. It's great to see the industry moving toward higher standards and better consumer education. Thanks for sharing such an informative update!

Like

Join our community

© Helius Therapeutics 2021

bottom of page