Medical cannabis in Ukraine: what diseases are prescribed

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has approved a new list of diseases and conditions for which patients can be prescribed medical cannabis. As the agency's press service reported, this list will be regularly updated based on new evidence-based research.

Medicines containing medical cannabis will be available only with an electronic prescription from a primary care physician or a specialist who provides specialized medical care. All prescription data will be entered into the Electronic Health Care System (ECHS), which will ensure transparency and control over the use of these drugs.

The list of diseases for which medical cannabis may be prescribed includes:

1. Chronic or neuropathic pain (R52.2) and/or spasticity (R25.2) caused by conditions such as malignant neoplasms, diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and injuries to the nervous system.

2. Nausea and vomiting (R11) during chemotherapy in the treatment of neoplasms.

3. Parkinson's disease (G20) and de la Tourette syndrome (F95.2).

4. Refractory epilepsy (G40-G41), which does not respond to traditional treatment.

5. Diseases that cause seizures in children, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis.

6. Weight loss associated with anorexia (R63.0) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

7. Other diseases (A00-T98) can be the basis for prescribing medical cannabis only if there is an opinion of the medical advisory commission.

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the dosage and regimen of taking the cannabis-based drug will be determined by the doctor individually, taking into account the patient's age, weight, state of health and concomitant diseases.

Doctors also emphasized that children can be prescribed these drugs under certain conditions, but their use by pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding is strictly prohibited. This decision is due to the need to preserve the health of both the mother and the child.

Thus, the introduction of medical cannabis in Ukraine will be an important step towards improving the quality of medical care for patients with chronic and serious diseases, opening up new opportunities in the treatment and improvement of their lives.