Poland’s medical cannabis laws have taken effect and cannabis-derived products will be available in the nation’s pharmacies after they are registered with the Office for Registration of Medical Products, according to a Radio Poland report.
The Polish Pharmaceutical Chamber estimated that 300,000 patients could be eligible under the regime, which includes chronic pain, drug-resistant epilepsy, multiple sclerosis symptoms, and chemotherapy-induced nausea.
“Given the fact that there are nearly 15,000 pharmacies in Poland, an overwhelming majority is authorized to make prescription drugs – that’s around 90 percent,” a spokesperson for the Polish Pharmaceutical Chamber said in the report, adding that courses will be available to professionals who may require additional training.
According to the chamber, one gram of medical cannabis will cost PLN50-60, or about US$14-$17; a monthly course of treatment is expected to run about PLN2,000 or US$551.
The measure initially allowed patients to grow their own medical cannabis plants, but amendments to the bill removed that provision in favor of allowing pharmacies to import raw materials to prepare the products.
Other European Union countries that have legalized medical cannabis access includes Germany, the Czech Republic, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Ireland. The United Kingdom has legalized the broad use of CBD products.