Psychedelic medicines rescheduled in Australia
From 1 July, psychiatrists in Australia will be able to prescribe MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia’s medical regulator, rescheduled the psychedelic medicines from Schedule 9 to Schedule 8, to enable their application in a medical environment.
The regulatory reform was instigated by patient advocacy groups and supported by clinical trials which substantiate the treatments’ safety and efficacy.
Over one million Australians have PTSD, and approximately 20% of Australians will be diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Furthermore, suicide rates in indigenous populations are among the highest in the world.
