The Narcotics Act of Switzerland has been amended by the country’s seven-member Federal Council to eliminate the prohibition on medical cannabis, thereby expanding the market that can be served.
Additionally, patients will be able to obtain a regular prescription from their doctor and no longer need a special permit from the Federal Office of Public Health.
The demand for these permissions, according to the administration, has been rising, adding to the unneeded administrative work for the government and eventually delaying medical care.
Adaptations to the Narcotics Control Ordinance (BetmKV) and the Narcotics List Ordinance (BetmVV-EDI) will be essential for the implementation of the change in the law, according to the Federal Office of Public Health.
The administration expects the new law to go into force on August 1.
Both businesses and patients will benefit, according to Susanne Caspar, CEO of Linnea SA in Riazzino, Switzerland.
The ability to manufacture standardized, pharmaceutical-grade cannabis compounds for patients is now available to companies like ours, she said. “We can now expand our cannabinoids product range and utilise our current 40 years of expertise,” she added.
The government claimed that the revised regulations would be advantageous for those who have severe chronic pain and stiffness.
Many patients who have been requesting this specific type of medication from their doctors and are dealing with illnesses like chronic pain will benefit from this, according to Caspar.
Cannabis will now be integrated into the Swiss pharmaceutical system and regulated by Swiss Medic, the country’s health authority, much like all other narcotics.
“This is good since cannabis will now also be legalized through the established narcotics procedure. As a result, consumers will be able to purchase cannabis goods of the highest quality.
Swissmedic, the nation’s agency for therapeutic products, will have the power to control cannabis growing for medical use.
The legal change won’t affect how medicinal cannabis products are paid for by the country’s health insurance, though.
The government claimed that because there is “now inadequate proof on effectiveness for general reimbursement,” medical cannabis is only compensated in extreme circumstances.
It will still be illegal to buy and use cannabis for non-medical uses.
