Two psychiatrists approved to prescribe MDMA for PTSD treatment in New Zealand
New Zealand health authorities have authorized two psychiatrists to prescribe MDMA for patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The treatment will be administered strictly within clinical settings as part of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Why it matters
This move signals a shift in medical policy regarding the use of controlled substances for mental health treatment, following similar legislative changes in Australia.
The changes have been announced by Associate Health Minister David Seymour. Photo / Anna Heath
Medsafe has approved two New Zealand psychiatrists to prescribe MDMA for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Although MDMA will remain an unapproved medicine, the medicines approvals authority will allow the two psychiatrists to provide pharmaceutical-grade MDMA to patients within their clinics. Patients will not be given MDMA to take home.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour said the change aligned New Zealand with Australia .
“PTSD ruins lives and is difficult to treat. MDMA can be very effective at treating it through psychedelic-assisted therapy.
“This is very good news for the patients, who will have been suffering for some time.”
Seymour said safeguards would be put in place, and any other practitioners wanting approval would need to meet a series of requirements, including demonstrating expertise and providing a proposal for administering the treatment.
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