Pilot Programme
2018-2025
Pilot programme on medical cannabis in Denmark
Denmark has taken a significant step forward in medical cannabis by launching a pilot programme. This proactive step aims to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of using cannabis for medical purposes. The trial programme expresses Denmark's commitment to evidence-based healthcare decisions and provides an opportunity to collect valuable data and information for future decision-making.
Goals of the pilot programme
The main objectives of the pilot programme in Denmark for medicinal cannabis are as follows:
Research and development: The programme aims to gather robust scientific evidence on the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis in treating various medical conditions. This research will provide valuable insights into the potential benefits and risks of cannabis-based medicine.
Quality control and safety: Maintaining strict quality control standards is crucial for medical cannabis. The pilot programme will establish the necessary regulations and safety protocols to ensure patients receive reliable and safe products.
Patient access: The pilot programme aims to improve patient access to medical cannabis and ensure that those who could benefit from this alternative medicine can obtain it legally. By streamlining the process and reducing regulatory barriers, patients can access medical cannabis under the guidance of healthcare professionals.
Implementation and duration
The pilot programme will be implemented in selected medical facilities across Denmark. A wide range of medical conditions will be considered for treatment, including chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and certain psychiatric conditions. The duration of the programme is initially set at two years, allowing enough time to gather sufficient data on patient outcomes, side effects, dosing regimens and efficacy. This timeframe also allows healthcare professionals to understand the patient experience and assess the programme's impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Collaboration and partnerships
Collaboration between stakeholders is essential to ensure the pilot programme’s success. Involving healthcare professionals, researchers, academia, patient organisations, and the pharmaceutical industry will contribute to a comprehensive evaluation of the outcomes of the medical cannabis programme. International collaborations are also sought, allowing for knowledge exchange and learning from countries that have successfully implemented similar initiatives.
Regulation and legal framework
The Danish Medicines Agency will be essential in regulating the pilot programme. They will oversee the distribution, registration and monitoring of medicinal cannabis products to ensure compliance with safety standards and ethical guidelines. The legal framework for medicinal cannabis in Denmark will be refined and updated by the end of 2025.
Criteria for prescribing medicinal cannabis
The responsibility for medical cannabis treatment always lies with the treating physician. Therefore, it is the doctor who determines whether a patient should be treated with medicinal cannabis.
According to the cannabis guidelines from the Danish Medicines Agency:
Relevant authorised marketed medicines should be tested before treatment with medicinal cannabis is attempted.
Cannabis should not be used in children and adolescents under the age of 18 due to a lack of knowledge about long-term effects, including cognitive development.
A doctor can only prescribe a maximum of one month's supply per prescription.
Doctors generally do not treat with medicinal cannabis outside their area of specialisation.
Furthermore, the Danish Medicines Agency has approved a few patient groups and indications for the use of medicinal cannabis as a patient in Denmark. You can read more about the relevant indications for prescribing medical cannabis here.