Costs

The cost of medicinal cannabis can vary greatly and depends on:

• a patient’s condition – some patients may need more than others depending on their requirements.
• a patient’s endocannabinoid system – similarly to other medicines, some patients will react differently to cannabis and may require more or less product.
• if the patient is taking other medications in addition to the medicinal cannabis.
• the medicinal cannabis product which has been prescribed – product costs are stipulated by manufacturers and sponsors. Like any product, some can cost more than others.

Manufacturers and sponsors prices are affected by such factors as: 

• the type of the cannabis product (flower, oils, concentrates, etc.)
• the quality and potency of the cannabis plant (CBD/THC percentages)
• the method of producing the cannabis product
• the amount of required testing to ensure quality
• the legality and government regulations
• the number of companies involved and additional processing
• wholesale and pharmacy fees

As there is currently only one subsidy available from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme this means that costs will be worn entirely by the patient. The subsidy that is available from the PBS covers Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome (DS) in infancy (SMEI), for patients 2 years of age and older. 

Concession Pricing

At Little Green Pharma the patient is at the centre of everything we do and our mantra is that everybody should be able to afford this medication.

LGP is proud to offer Concession Pricing for Concession Card and Healthcare Card Holders, across all LGP medications, upon presentation of a valid concession card at participating pharmacies.

Eligibility Criteria

• Health Care Card holders
• Pensioners
• Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment recipient
• Carer Card holders
• War veterans and war widow(er)s
• Children
• Asylum seekers

Please note:

• Must have an active Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN)
• Cardholders only (not their dependents listed on the card) are entitled to the concession prices.
• The concession card discount cannot be combined with the Compassionate Access supply, but the discount can be used after the compassionate access supply if eligible.
• QUEST patients are not eligible for compassionate access supply of concession card discount.

If you have any questions regarding our Concession or Healthcare Card Discount; we are happy to discuss the above with you in more detail. Contact our team now.

Health Insurance Benefits 

Health insurers, like HIF are starting to offer benefits for medical cannabis prescriptions. HIF and Little Green Pharma have partnered to reduce patient costs and HIF will pay a benefit towards medicinal cannabis products if a member’s Extras cover includes Pharmacy. Benefits are payable under the Pharmacy Limit and are subject to individual policy limits and waiting periods. Members can refer to their applicable policy fact sheet at hif.com.au for details on their eligibility and individual benefit.

For more information regarding additional rebates for Little Green Pharma medicines, patients are encouraged to contact HIF directly.

If your patient is with another health insurer please ask them to contact their insurer directly and ask if they pay a benefit towards these prescriptions.