Consumers in NSW still face “ludicrous” and “expensive” barriers to accessing medicinal ecstasy despite the approved use of MDMA and other psychedelics for mental health conditions in Australia, according to a minister.
In 2023, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved the use of MDMA for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and treatment-resistant depression.
But NSW government restrictions have prevented doctors from treating patients in their clinics, which has compelled patients to travel interstate for treatment.
“The efficacy and safety of the medical use of psilocybin and MDMA was dealt with in detail in MMA’s rescheduling applications which the TGA accepted. Urgent change to the NSW Health Department regulations regarding the medicinal use of psychedelics in NSW is desperately needed,” Mr. Robb said.
“More research is needed to find out which people will respond best, and which people may be at risk when using the treatment, as well as the longer term safety and efficacy,” Mr. Harvey said.
Meanwhile, the NSW government restrictions mandate only certain registered psychiatrists to apply for approval to prescribe MDMA, with authorisation required from a human research ethics committee, the TGA, and NSW Health.
Treatments are limited to mental health hospitals, with patients required to stay overnight instead of attending day clinics.
The restrictions forced one of the first two Australians treated with medicinal MDMA in January to travel from NSW to Melbourne for dosing sessions due to limited hospital access. The treating psychiatrist and clinical psychologist travelled along to Melbourne with the patients.
“NSW mental health sufferers face the ludicrous and hugely expensive situation of being forced to travel to Victoria or Queensland for the course of treatments,” Mr. Robb said. “It’s just ridiculous.”
The veteran coalition MP and former federal Liberal Party director, who has openly shared his struggles with depression in the past, firmly opposed the recreational use of drugs.
“In over 125 clinical trials there is no data that justifies claims regarding psychotic episodes or impulsive self-harm [from medicinal MDMA],” he said.
Experts Warn of Severe Side Effects
Yet the NSW Department of Health defended its strict measures, citing “patient safety.”It warns that psychedelic treatments may lead to psychotic episodes, impulsive self-harm, and dissociative states.
Medical experts also warn of “rapid mood shifts” from using MDMA in clinical treatment, citing cases of paranoia, traumatisation, worsening depression, and suicidal behaviour among the severe side effects observed in some cases.
The TGA acknowledged concerns regarding the accessibility of MDMA and psilocybin under the new changes but confirmed that “strict rules” will be in place.
‘Difficult’ Yet ‘Necessary’ System
Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson admitted the system was challenging to navigate.However, she said the current measures are necessary to ensure the safety of all participants during the rigorous research process, as was best practice.
“There are challenges for consumers when it comes to access, which is reflected in the limited uptake in NSW,” she said.
“That is why we are reviewing annually to see where we can make improvements to the system.”
Despite some concerns that NSW maintains some of the strictest controls, Health Minister Ryan Park emphasised the need for caution in aligning regulations with neighbouring states, considering the novelty of this medical field.
“NSW Health ... are not people who want to try and stop improvements in treatments, but they do want to make sure that we are operating on an evidence base,” he said.