15 Feb Prescribing rules and guidelines

As awareness of the potential benefits of CBD for pets grows among our clientele, it’s increasingly important for us, as veterinary professionals, to stay well-informed about safe and legal avenues for pets to access these treatments when discussed in the consult room. 

Until recently, obtaining authoritative information on prescribing CBD for pets posed challenges. However, in the latter part of 2023, both the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) addressed this gap by publishing clear guidelines on their respective websites. These guidelines provide valuable insights and guidelines for veterinarians navigating the complexities of CBD use in pets. 

By staying informed and adhering to established guidelines, veterinary professionals can contribute to the responsible and safe use of CBD for pets, ensuring the best possible outcomes for the animals in their care. 

For convenience, links to the AVA’s position statement dated 20 July 2023 Use of medicinal cannabis in animals and the APVMA guidelines dated 4 August 2023 Cannabis in veterinary chemical products, are provided in references below. 

To summarise the key takeaways from these publications: 

1. Veterinarians are legally permitted to prescribe medicinal cannabinoids for animals falling under Schedule 4. To satisfy schedule 4, the product must contain 98% or more CBD and no more than 2% of other cannabinoids, including THC. 

2. Schedule 8 and Schedule 3 medicinal cannabis products are strictly designated for human use and are not permissible for animals or veterinary prescription. 

3. The supply and sale of CBD products in Australia for animals requires a veterinary prescription. The sale of veterinary cannabis products is otherwise illegal and subject to penalties under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 and agvet legislation. 

4. It is imperative that veterinarians ensure prescribed CBD products for veterinary use in Australia are not domestically cultivated. 

5. Locally compounded CBD formulations are acceptable if the active pharmaceutical ingredient (cannabidiol) is cultivated outside of Australia and imported with the necessary import license/permit from the Office of Drug Control. 

Safety, efficacy, and compliance in this highly regulated field are of utmost importance. PetCann, under the Cannatrek Medical Pty Ltd group, stands as a reliable option with quality assurance, robust infrastructures, secure supply chains, and best industry partnerships offering reputable experience in both veterinary and cannabinoid industries. All medicinal cannabis products imported by Cannatrek have been produced under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and come with a Certificate of Analysis detailing the cannabinoids present and verifying the absence of contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, and residual solvents. 

While currently, there are no registered cannabinoid products with the APVMA, the growing interest and use of CBD for managing various conditions, such as pain relief, inflammation, neoplasia, anxiety, epilepsy, and appetite stimulation, are evident. The choice of medicinal cannabinoids over registered medicines may be particularly useful when the patient is presenting with multiple comorbidities requiring management, concerns around contraindications to conventional medications, nil-minimal response to these conventional medications, or based on the veterinarian’s clinical experience and judgment. 

PetCann is committed to facilitating access to resources, studies, and education for veterinarians, recognising the significant growth in this area. As the landscape of medicinal cannabis for pets evolves, we aim to provide the necessary support for informed decision-making in our profession. 

If you are ready to start prescribing, please Sign In. Remember to include on your prescription: 

• Formulation type 
• Concentration 
• Volume 
• Flavour 

It is also important that we have the prescribing veterinarian’s name and clinic information, patient and client details to promptly compound and dispense your script. 

For more information, we encourage you to view the published information available or contact PetCann at info@petcann.com.au for your state-based veterinary science liaison to provide you with more information. 

References: 

Use of medicinal cannabis in animals (ava.com.au)  

Cannabis in veterinary chemical products | Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (apvma.gov.au) 

guidelines-for-the-preparation-and-use-of-compounded-pharmaceuticals.pdf (ava.com.au)