Data on Regulatory Actions for Medicinal Cannabis Prescribing
Dear Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency,
I am requesting access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Information Requested
For the period from 1 November 2016 to the present, I request the following information regarding medical practitioners and the prescribing of Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis:
The total number of notifications (complaints) received.
The total number of investigations commenced.
The total number of matters that resulted in regulatory action.
A de-identified list of all regulatory actions taken, specifying for each matter:
a. The conduct (e.g., inadequate patient assessment, inappropriate prescribing).
b. The penalty or outcome (e.g., caution, conditions imposed, suspension).
Scope of Request
This request specifically includes actions taken in relation to business models of concern, including:
"Prescription Channelling": Practices that improperly direct patients to a specific pharmacy, limiting patient choice.
"Closed-Loop Prescribing": Models where the prescriber and supplier are not independent, creating a conflict of interest.
The release of this information is in the public interest, as it concerns patient safety and regulatory transparency for a high-risk area of medical practice.
Please provide the documents in an electronic format.
Yours faithfully,
Zack
Dear Zack
Thank you for your email. dated 18 August 2025.
An FOI Officer will be in touch with you within the next fortnight to provide information about the FOI process and request further information from you, if it is needed.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us at [AHPRA request email] and quote reference number FOI54284.
Kind regards
Legal Support
National Legal Practice
Email | [AHPRA request email]
Web | http://www.ahpra.gov.au/
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
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-----Original Message-----
From: Zack <[FOI #13509 email]>
Sent: Monday, 18 August 2025 4:21 PM
To: foi <[AHPRA request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Data on Regulatory Actions for Medicinal Cannabis Prescribing
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency,
I am requesting access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Information Requested
For the period from 1 November 2016 to the present, I request the following information regarding medical practitioners and the prescribing of Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis:
The total number of notifications (complaints) received.
The total number of investigations commenced.
The total number of matters that resulted in regulatory action.
A de-identified list of all regulatory actions taken, specifying for each matter:
a. The conduct (e.g., inadequate patient assessment, inappropriate prescribing).
b. The penalty or outcome (e.g., caution, conditions imposed, suspension).
Scope of Request
This request specifically includes actions taken in relation to business models of concern, including:
"Prescription Channelling": Practices that improperly direct patients to a specific pharmacy, limiting patient choice.
"Closed-Loop Prescribing": Models where the prescriber and supplier are not independent, creating a conflict of interest.
The release of this information is in the public interest, as it concerns patient safety and regulatory transparency for a high-risk area of medical practice.
Please provide the documents in an electronic format.
Yours faithfully,
Zack
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