💥 Within a few days, I've read two articles highlighting issues related to medical cannabis and patient safety from opposite ends of the globe—Malta and Australia. I've linked the articles in the comments. 🎯 Both articles underpin an urgent need for actionable steps to support medicinal cannabis patients and healthcare practitioners within an ever-changing global landscape. 🇦🇺 Australia: An Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) article discusses an alarming increase in hospitalisations due to psychosis, raising concerns from healthcare professionals; yet solutions seem elusive. Professor Brett Emmerson AM AM, Queensland chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), says, "We're seeing a lot of people getting medicinal cannabis who end up with their first psychotic episode, or we're seeing it dispensed to people who have psychotic conditions, and these people are relapsing." 🇲🇹 Malta: The Malta Independent highlights how long-term cannabis and synthetic cannabinoid use is driving people to hospitals, with symptoms including psychosis and severe vomiting. Dr. Jeffrey Bonnici, an emergency consultant and clinical toxicologist at Mater Dei, notes, "The severe and persistent vomiting is very new to us." Proactive measures are being taken to support healthcare professionals and patients through initiatives like the Malta Helpline, which "provides immediate assistance and guidance to both patients and doctors, ensuring safe and informed use of medical cannabis." In Australia, the call for stronger regulations and oversight of medicinal cannabis might be leaving both practitioners and patients vulnerable. Calls to change the system takes time, so in the interim, should we consider how can we support patients and practitioners in our current system? 🥋 It's time to move beyond merely highlighting problems and consider what we can do to support patients who are suffering and the practitioners who are trying to navigate this complex landscape. Healthcare Practitioners: *What additional steps can we take to ensure you are supported? *Does the 24/7 call service to healthcare professionals that Malta has initiated sound appropriate? *Is it reasonable for ED's to open a dialogue with cannabis prescribers directly to address potential issues and find collaborative solutions? *What are the steps to ensure proper oversight and accountability of prescribers who are found to be writing scripts for patients with contraindications? *Is it time to upskill emergency departments on the endocannabinoid system, interactions, contraindications and potential adverse events? Keen to hear what you think could work to create better outcomes for both patients and healthcare practitioners? Natalie D'Alessandro CEO ~ Viz Medicinal #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareSupport #Australia #Malta #HealthAwareness #CommunityAction #HealthcareSolutions
Viz Medicinal
Hospitals and Health Care
Visionary, actionable solutions for a healthier future. We lead conversations to ensure equitable access to medicines.
About us
Viz Medicinal provides in-person and online events for healthcare professionals interested in the therapeutic potential of alternative medicines. We are committed to providing world-class education, and networking opportunities to help our attendees improve patient outcomes and advance their professional development. Our events are tailored specifically to AHPRA healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals. We believe that education is the key to unlocking the full potential of previously understudied therapeutics and ensuring that patients have access to safe and effective treatments. We value collaboration, diversity, and inclusivity. We believe that by working together, we can achieve more and provide better care for patients. We welcome attendees from all backgrounds and levels of experience, from those who are just starting to explore the therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis to experienced professionals with years of experience in the field. Our upcoming events feature a diverse lineup of expert speakers, including doctors, researchers, and industry leaders, who will share their knowledge and expertise on a range of topics. From the endocannabinoid system to the latest research on endometriosis, our events offer a deep dive into the science, clinical applications, and regulatory landscape of alternative therapies. We understand that entering a new industry can be daunting, which is why we provide a warm and welcoming community where attendees can network, collaborate, and share their experiences. Our events are designed to foster a sense of community and help attendees build long-lasting relationships with their peers and industry leaders. Whether you are a healthcare professional looking to expand your knowledge or an industry leader looking to connect with like-minded professionals, we can't wait to meet you!
- Website
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https://vizmedicinal.com.au/
External link for Viz Medicinal
- Industry
- Hospitals and Health Care
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Gold Coast
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2022
- Specialties
- medicinalcannabis and cannabiseducation
Locations
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Primary
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Gold Coast, AU
Employees at Viz Medicinal
Updates
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Viz Medicinal reposted this
Are you the next RACGP President? Join our webinar to learn more about the role from current President Dr Nicole Higgins. You’ll hear insights from Dr Lara Roeske, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the RACGP Georgina van de Water. We’ll guide you through the election nominations process, the campaigning period and the voting process. Date: Tuesday, 11 June 2024 Time: 7.30-8.30PM (AEST) Register your attendance here: https://bit.ly/3yETHMv
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I've been having fun (and freaking out in equal measures) launching my Plant Rants podcast. 🍃 Thanks for tuning in while I find my voice. And thank you for all the feedback, keep it coming please! For my third episode, I attempt to figure out if Australia's medicinal industry is a Sunny Place for Shady People? ☀ 🕶 Take a listen and please let me know what you think! https://lnkd.in/geZXnq3d Available now on: Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple and wherever you listen to podcasts. (You can also just hit play on the website above, no special apps required.) Thanks for listening. I look forward to hanging out by a rubbish bin in an alley with you very soon! 🚮 Natalie D'Alessandro CEO ~ Viz Medicinal
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🌿✨ Celebrating the Dreamers and Doers! A huge congratulations to Cannabiz for hosting an incredible awards ceremony last night! We wholeheartedly support and celebrate the recognition of our industry leaders and their achievements. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners! We'd like to nominate Cannabiz for their own "Conversation Starter Award" for opening up such an important dialogue in the attached article: Having women in leadership roles isn’t just good for business – it’s good for patients too We extend our heartfelt thanks to Steve Jones and Martin Lane for consistently delivering 99% of our industry's news, and for tapping Hannah Adler on the shoulder to write this insightful piece on women in leadership within the sector. The attached article highlighted the achievements and experiences of inspiring leaders like Carmen Doran of Helius Therapeutics, Lisa Varley MBA of MiDispensary and The Entourage Effect, Melanie Wentzel, Nan-Maree Schoerie of ECS Botanics Holdings Ltd, Phoebe Macleod of Heyday Medical, and Lisa Nguyen of Astrid | Dispensary & Clinic. Thank you for sharing the stories of these women to push for greater gender diversity and equality in our industry. Viz Medicinal is proud to support these conversations and the continued progress towards inclusivity and innovation in the health sector. 🌱 #CannabisIndustry #WomenInLeadership #PlantRants #Dreamers #CannabizAustralia #GenderEquality #Inclusion #Innovation #ConversationStarterAward
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For many people in pain, life feels like living every moment through gritted teeth. Complete the National Pain Survey before it closes this weekend to shape the future of chronic pain management in Australia. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Chronic Pain Australia team for their ongoing advocacy for people living in pain. Answer the survey here: https://lnkd.in/gQ9sBHn5 #NPS2024 #ChronicPain
Last chance to put your pain on the agenda. Answer our National Pain Survey before it closes this weekend to shape the future of chronic pain management in Australia. Answer the survey here: https://lnkd.in/gFBVFBS8 Help us drive meaningful change for people living with chronic pain. #NPS2024 #ChronicPain
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How's this for an award?! Congratulations Melanie Wentzel on being named Woman Changing the World Emerging Leader of 2024'! Way to make it on the world stage! We celebrate you and your dedication and hard work. Thank you for representing the good work of women in cannabis on the world stage. 🌿 🙏
Healthcare || Cannabis || Womens Business || Author || Global Leader || International Speaker || Trusted Advisor
💖🥉🥂 Rose Gold Baby!!! Woman Changing the World Emerging Leader of 2024! 🥂🥉💕 💕Last night my co-authors and I launched our book ‘Women Making a Difference’. 💕Today I presented on the importance of medical cannabis to over 100 powerful women from all over the world. 💕Then, I won rose gold!! (3rd place: Emerging Leader of the Year - Women Changing the World) 🌱🩺 Our message is spreading and the reception is amazing!!! 👑 Now… off the meet the Duchess! #letsgogirls #womenchsngingtheworld #leaders #community #grateful #magic #london
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Is Australia’s burgeoning cannabis sector at the risk of getting left behind on the global stage because our leaders refuse the science?
Australia's medicinal cannabis industry has the potential to be a major player on the global stage, contributing significantly to the economy through exports and job creation. But our education and health systems are hampering progress. Educating Australian healthcare professionals about the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a crucial first step to ensure the credibility and proven effectiveness of our medicinal cannabis products internationally. We have known about the ECS for more than 30 years. It’s time for all tertiary healthcare students to learn about the ECS and be included in the syallbus. However, this should not be a "pay to play" scenario. Just as manufacturers of casts for broken arms did not pay for the skeletal system to be added to healthcare studies, we can not and should not expect the cannabis industry to fund ECS education. There are two main reasons for this: 1. Bias and Commercial Outcomes: Industry-funded education risks skewing the information towards commercial interests, undermining the integrity and neutrality of medical education. 2. Healthcare Should Not Be Pay to Play: We must stop accepting that healthcare can be commodified in such a manner. Ensuring comprehensive medical education should be a public responsibility, not a commercial one.
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I've written this essay out of sheer frustration with how our education system is handling the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). It's a crucial part of our health that’s being overlooked, and this is holding back our healthcare professionals to do their jobs and impacting our rights to medical care. With recent legal wins in Queensland spotlighting the importance of human rights in public policy, I believe it's the perfect time to push for ECS education. I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this – let's start a conversation about making real change. Check out my essay and let me know what you think! Natalie D'Alessandro CEO - Viz Medicinal
Medical Censorship and Human Rights in Australia
Viz Medicinal on LinkedIn
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There are three things the medicinal cannabis industry in Australia needs to talk about right now. 1) Adding the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) to Healthcare Education: ECS should be included in tertiary healthcare syllabi immediately, just like the skeletal system. (Imagine turning up to an ED with a broken arm to be told everyone working had opted out of learning about bones?) 2) Understanding Media Dynamics: Examine why some media coverage supports cannabis in healthcare while others sensationalise. How media can help make cannabis medicine more accessible to patients who need it? (Stay tuned for our upcoming webinar Cannabis Industry Media Masterclass - please request an invitation to attend at www.vizmedicinal.com ) 3) Scheduling and Product Approvals: Scheduling in Australia, particularly for non-intoxicating cannabidiol, is out of step with the rest of the world. Those who understand cannabis as a medicine need a more active role with the Therapeutic Goods Administration to establish a statutory "Advisory Committee on Medicinal Cannabis" by January 2025. I'll be delving in to these topics in more detail over the next couple of weeks. Looking forward to hearing your ideas! What are your top 3 topics of the moment? Natalie D'Alessandro CEO ~ Viz Medicinal
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Is this medical censorship? More than 30 years after its discovery, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is being excluded from healthcare syllabi. We are keen to know your thoughts on why this problem persists. What are the key obstacles to adding the ECS to syllabi for tertiary healthcare practitioners? Should healthcare practioners be able to opt out of learning about other systems in the body, (eg. the skeletal system) if they believe it’s not relevant to their studies?
When do you think the endocannabinoid system should be added to the syllabus for tertiary healthcare students in Australia?
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