67 lines
4.9 KiB
Markdown
67 lines
4.9 KiB
Markdown
# Can you get medical cannabis on prescription in Norway?
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Obtaining a prescription for medical cannabis in Norway remains extremely difficult under current regulations. The medication category is classified as "experimental treatment," which discourages most doctors from prescribing it unless part of a clinical study.
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However, some options do exist depending on the type of physician:
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**General practitioners (GPs) can prescribe the following (without reimbursement):**
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- Sativex and Epidyolex (approved cannabis-based medicines)
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- CBMP products containing less than 1% THC (exemption via the Norwegian Medicines Agency)
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- Products with less than 10 mg/ml THC (considered equivalent to less than 1%)
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For a detailed overview of available options, see *"Types of medical cannabis available in Norway."*
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GPs can also provide a referral letter for patients to consult foreign doctors regarding medical cannabis as a potential treatment. A template for this referral is available on the Norwegian Medicines Agency's website (link in comments).
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**Specialists working in hospitals** (both public and private) can prescribe all cannabis-based products. Prescriptions from public hospitals qualify for cost reimbursement under the H-prescription scheme, though many public hospitals have stopped issuing these prescriptions to reduce expenses. If prescribed by a specialist at a private hospital, the patient must cover the full cost.
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Both Sativex and Epidyolex are approved medicines in Norway. Sativex is indicated for MS-related spasms, while Epidyolex is approved for Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis. These medications can also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. Costs are covered under the H-prescription scheme if prescribed by a public hospital specialist (Sativex was added to this scheme on February 1, 2021, and Epidyolex on August 1, 2018). If prescribed by other doctors, patients must pay out of pocket.
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Pricing for these medications typically starts at around NOK 900 for dried plant material and NOK 4,000 or more for oils.
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**Conditions approved for exemption by the Norwegian Medicines Agency (as of 2023):**
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| Condition | CBD | CBD/THC | THC |
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|----------------------------|-----|---------|-----|
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| ADHD | ✓ | | |
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| Appetite stimulation | | | ✓ |
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| Autism | ✓ | | |
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| Hypertension | ✓ | | |
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| Crohn’s disease | | | ✓ |
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| Cluster/migraine/headache | ✓ | | ✓ |
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| CRPS | | | ✓ |
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| Epilepsy | ✓ | | |
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| Fatigue/ME | | | ✓ |
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| Fibromyalgia | ✓ | | |
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| Hiccups | ✓ | | |
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| Cancer-related | ✓ | | ✓ |
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| Nausea | ✓ | | |
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| Palliative care | | ✓ | |
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| ME | ✓ | | |
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| Multiple sclerosis | ✓ | | ✓ |
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| Muscular dystrophy | | | ✓ |
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| Palliative care | | | ✓ |
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| Parkinson’s disease | ✓ | | |
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| Psoriasis | ✓ | | |
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| Psychiatric conditions | | | ✓ |
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| PTSD | ✓ | | ✓ |
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| Low platelet count | ✓ | | |
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| Restless legs syndrome | ✓ | | ✓ |
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| Rheumatism | ✓ | | |
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| Complex conditions | | | ✓ |
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| Schizophrenia | ✓ | | |
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| Tremors | ✓ | | ✓ |
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| Pain | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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| Spasms/cramps | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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| Stress/anxiety | ✓ | | ✓ |
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| Wound healing | ✓ | | |
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| Sleep disorders | ✓ | | ✓ |
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| Tics | | | ✓ |
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| Tourette’s syndrome | | | ✓ |
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**Key sources:**
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- [Regulations on the requisition of prohibited narcotics and certain medicines for human use - Lovdata](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2022-09-22-1630)
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- [Cannabis treatment under current regulations - Norwegian Medicines Agency](https://www.dmp.no/godkjenningsfritak/for-leger-og-tannleger/legemidler-det-ofte-er-sporsmal-om-ved-godkjenningsfritak/behandling-med-cannabis-innenfor-dagens-regelverk)
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- [Bringing medicines into Norway - Norwegian Medicines Agency](https://www.dmp.no/tilvirkning-import-og-salg/import-av-legemidler-til-personlig-bruk/legemidler-pa-reise-inn-til-norge#Legemidler-med-narkotiske-virkestoffer-3)
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The sections on *"Medicines with narcotic substances"* and *"CBD (cannabidiol)"* are particularly relevant.
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