The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) authorised doctors to prescribe doses of the psychedelics for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder on July 1.
However, the TGA has warned it might be “some time” before psychiatrists can begin prescribing due to the safeguards and approvals in place.
There are also “strict controls” on the importation and supply of the products, which could contribute to delays in access.
Here is everything we know about the new treatments.
The TGA said eligible participants will need to have “specific mental health conditions” and have been “resistant to approved treatments”.
“Before patients for whom approved medicines are not effective can receive MDMA or psilocybin treatment, psychiatrists must carefully assess whether the benefits are expected to outweigh the risks in those patients,” the TGA said.
If patients meet the criteria and are seeing an approved doctor, they will be able to be prescribed the “controlled drugs”.
What can the psychedelics be used for?
The doses of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, can be prescribed by doctors to treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The psychoactive ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, psilocybin, can be given to people who have depression.
Both mental health disorders will have to be categorised as “hard to treat”.
A scientist told the Associated Press it puts Australia “at the forefront of research in this field”.
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How will people be prescribed?
Doctors will need to obtain approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee and then be approved by the Authorised Prescriber (AP) under the TGA’s scheme before they are able to prescribe the medicine.
“As psychedelic-assisted therapies are not well established, the controls under the AP scheme will ensure the safe and appropriate use of MDMA or psilocybin,” the TGA said.
“Psychiatrists will need to show they have the necessary training, competency and robust evidence-based treatment protocols that appropriately control the risks to patients.”
Patients will be able to take the drugs as part of therapy in a controlled clinical setting, which can last up to eight hours.
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How much does it cost?
The Associated Press has reported the drugs will cost about $10,000 per patient for treatment.
Researchers told the Herald the drugs themselves would cost between $1000 and $2000, plus the clinician fees.
The TGA has not stated how much the drugs or treatment is likely to cost.
It could be subsidised in the future to give more people access to the treatment.
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