Generally, medicinal cannabis products are only available, on prescription, if they have:
- been assessed by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency as meeting the minimum quality standard under the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019, or
- obtained consent for distribution under the Medicines Act 1981 (approved and provisionally approved medicines)
Any doctor can prescribe a product listed here. A specialist recommendation and Ministerial approval are not required. For more information on a particular product, please contact the listed product supplier or manufacturer.
Transitional period
The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019 included transitional provisions to give manufacturers and importers until 1 October 2020 to put together the information required for the product assessments and to ensure that patients currently accessing these products were able to continue doing so while products were being assessed.
Patients who were prescribed CBD products or medicinal cannabis products that have not been verified against the quality standard may continue to access these products on prescription until 31 March 2021.
Products that meet the minimum quality standard under the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019
The Medicinal Cannabis Agency has received applications for the assessment of Medicinal Cannabis Products and are in the process of verifying the products against the minimum quality standard. When products are verified as meeting the minimum quality standard, they will be listed on this page
Products that are listed as having been verified as meeting the minimum quality standards are unapproved medicines – there has been no assessment of their safety or efficacy. Being listed on this page does not guarantee that these products are currently available in New Zealand.
Products with consent for distribution (approved and provisionally approved) under the Medicines Act 1981
Approved and provisionally approved medicines have been assessed by Medsafe and have demonstrated that they meet New Zealand and internationally recognised standards for quality, safety and efficacy. Approved and provisionally approved medicines are not required to be assessed against the minimum quality standard.
| Sativex Oral spray | |
| Active ingredient(s) | Cannabidiol 25 mg/mL equivalent to Cannabis sativa extract 35 mg–42 mg Tetrahydrocannabinol 27 mg/mL equivalent to Cannabis sativa extract 38 mg–44 mg |
| Dose form | Oromucosal spray |
| Sponsor | Emerge Health New Zealand Limited 58 Richard Pearse Drive Airport Oaks, Mangere 2022 |
| Prescribing information | Sativex data sheet |
| Information for consumers | Sativex consumer medicine information |