GMP News - Herbal Medicinal Products (incl. Cannabis)

The 10th Edition of The International Pharmacopoeia is now available online. It contains recommended procedures for analysis and specifications for APIs and dosage forms.

According to the German Liberal Democrats (FDP), adults in Germany should be able to purchase cannabis for recreational purposes at pharmacies and specially licensed shops.

A revised version of Ph. Eur. Chapter 2.8.2 Foreign Matter is available. It clarifies the requirements for other foreign matter like moulds and animal contamination and any other unwanted matter (e.g. glass, metal, plastic).

Greece is currently discussing a new bill about medical cannabis products. Its purpose is to allow medical cannabis companies in Greece to produce medical cannabis and export it to Europe.

According to recent decisions of two Administrative Courts in Germany, Berlin and Hamburg, food supplements containing cannabidiol may not be marketed without further action.

The Swiss Narcotics Act is to be amended. Among other things, the amendment provides that cannabis-based treatments can be prescribed directly by doctors without having to obtain an exceptional authorization from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. In addition, cultivation and export are to be permitted.

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has issued a new statement recommending that the assessment of hemp-based food products be based on the EFSA-derived acute reference dose of 1 microgram Δ9-THC/kg body weight.