ABSTRACT
Prescribing unlicensed medicines puts greater responsibility on the doctor, as their effects may be less well understood than those of licensed products. In Italy patients who need cannabis for therapeutic purposes are allowed to grow their own supply of the plant once they have gained certification from their local authority and in Germany nabilone is unlicensed but can be imported for prescription. Until August 1997, doctors in the Netherlands were able, unofficially, to issue prescriptions for cannabis which were dispensed by pharmacists. However, acting on a recent report by the Dutch Health Council which concluded that there was insufficient proof of its medicinal benefits, the health inspectorate has banned the prescription of cannabis. As an unlicensed medicine, the prescription of dronabinol or of nabilone for an unlicensed indication, brings with it extra responsibilities for the doctor.
