Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced last week that three types of cannabis oil have been added to Thailand’s National List of Essential Medicines, (NLEM). Now that cannabis is on the “essential medicine” list, public hospitals can freely prescribe cannabis extract oil to patients under certain circumstances, according to Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO).
The first type of cannabis oil contains a higher percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The second type has a higher level of CBD, or cannabidiol. The third solution has equal levels of THC and CBD, according to Dr. Nathakan Suwanpiddokul, pharmacist for the GPO.
The oil will primarily be used by cancer patients, especially those who suffer from the side effects of chemotherapy treatments, such as nausea and vomiting. The oil will also be used to relieve pain in terminally ill patients, especially those who have trouble sleeping or eating.
The addition of cannabis oil to the NLEM will also make this drug much more accessible in Thailand, with the government covering the costs for anyone who is prescribed cannabis oil in a public hospital.
Nationwide, doctors in 893 public hospitals can now prescribe cannabis oil to patients. In total, there are now 1,173 cannabis dispensaries in Thailand, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Anutin said the use of cannabis for medical purposes is one of the most important policies of the Ministry of Health. The country has also recently announced that it will give 1 million free cannabis plants to its citizens to contribute to the national production effort.
“It is gratifying that all three formulations of medical cannabis extract oils have been included in the NLEM. On May 14, this will not only provide patients with more health care options, but also strengthen the country’s medicine. It also reduces the cost of importing expensive drugs from abroad. »
