The Therapeutic Goods Administrationshocked the health sector earlier this year when it announced that authorised psychiatrists would be able to prescribe MDMA to assist treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder,and psilocybin,the active ingredient in magic mushrooms,for treatment-resistant depression.
The change takes effect on July 1,but there are few qualified researchers in the space and treatment is initiallyexpected to cost $25,000 or more out-of-pocket. It has been hailed by some researchers as an opportunity for Australia to lead the world in innovative mental health treatments,butothers are worried that the ruling is premature.
A typical course of therapy varies but generally involves two psychologists supervising at least three eight-hour sessions when the drugs are administered,with additional therapy sessions in between.
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Professor Richard Harvey,who chaired the college’s steering group to create the new guidelines,said they had prioritised patient safety in stipulating that an authorised psychiatrist should be responsible for the full treatment and therapeutic team.
He said patients should not be left alone during the dosing process,and there must be thorough follow-up measures. The gender of the therapist should also be agreed upon by the patient in advance,there must be a consent process around touch,and facilities should be appropriately designed so that they are quiet and avoid disturbances.
“It’s not like these are drugs that can be taken home and result in benefit to the patient. ... The availability has been made in the context of fairly intensive psychotherapy,” Harvey said.