The Ministry of Health announced it is easing the process for those requiring a license for medical cannabis.

For a first time, there will be regulation on pricing and splitting a prescription between pharmacies and extending the temporary order regarding the choice between the various tracks.

The move comes following mounting criticism over the complexities involved in once obtaining a license and then the actions of the few companies licensed to sell the medical cannabis

The Ministry will work to apply the supervision of the prices of medical cannabis so that for patients who hold between 30 and 50 grams per month, they will pay similar sums to those paid to date (as proposed – up to NIS 400-500 per month, and a large proportion of the patients will pay less than what they currently pay in the old system.)

The ministry will also work to set a maximum price for children and oncology patients regardless of the amount consumed (around NIS 500 a month). It is emphasized that price supervision requires the approval of a price committee that includes representatives of the Ministries of Finance and the Economy.

In addition, the ministry announces that it is extending the temporary order regarding licenses for medical cannabis so that patients holding licenses before the date of the reform, April 29, 2019, will be able to continue receiving the cannabis in the new format through the pharmacy and for the next two months, even in the old format. Children and people with autism will be able to choose whether to move to the new format or continue with the old or new format, as they choose, until July 1, 2020.

At the same time, a ‘split prescription’ will soon be possible, i.e., the purchase of part of the quantity in one pharmacy and part in another pharmacy.

Another step promoted by the ministry, which is awaiting approval by the Finance Committee of the Knesset, is setting a maximum price for a visit by a physician at the HMO for the purpose of issue and renewing licenses with doctors authorized in the field, such that the cost of such a visit will not exceed NIS 279-283.

The Ministry continues to work towards the implementation of additional benefits for patients and will update it soon.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)