World Cancer Congress 2022 – Abstract library

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1005 Cancer and Cannabis in Denmark B.A. Rix1, B. Rix 1 Danish Cancer Society, Patient Support, Copenhagen, Denmark Background and context: From 2018, the Danish Parliament has allowed doctors in Denmark to prescribe cannabis sativa as medicin for certain patient groups, including cancer patients. The law on a pilot scheme regarding cannabis for medical use has resently been extended. The law was passed after pressure from various patient groups. Aim: The aim of the legislation was to give cancer patients and other patients the opportunity to get cannabis treatment by doctor's order, as some patients would otherwise access cannabis on the black market. Strategy / Tactics: The Danish medical establishment opposed the scheme. The Danish Cancer Society supported the scheme, but partnered with the Danish Medical Association to argue for research of effects and side effects of the scheme and limited prescription by specialist doctors to specific conditions such as cancer pain and nausea. Programme / Policy process: The scheme was implemented with some research funding but without a comprehensive plan for data collection. Also, family doctors were allowed to prescribe cannabis. Danish nurseries were allowed to produce cannabis for medical use. Outcomes: The scheme has allowed Danish cancer patients to get access to doctor prescribed cannabis. However the access to various cannabis sativa products is limited due to difficulties to bring cannabis products to the market. Many doctors do not want to prescribe cannabis, and patients do not feel supported by doctors, as doctors have no medical guidelines for use. Several years into the scheme, data on use, indications for use, effects and side effects is not in place. Have you got a Conflict of Interest?: No

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