From 2012 to 2019, a total of around 15,000 exceptional licences were granted by the FOPH, with the majority of applications being approved. This no longer corresponded to the idea of exceptionality within the meaning of the Narcotics Act and gave rise to substantial administrative efforts, both for physicians and for the FOPH as the body responsible for licensing. The revision of the Act is designed to simplify the use of cannabis for medical purposes, so that its therapeutic and palliative potential can be better exploited.
In the first few years following the entry into force of the revised Act, physicians who prescribe medicinal cannabis products are required to provide the FOPH – via an online reporting system (cf. also the next section) – with information on the treatment prescribed and the outcome. More details can be found on the MeCanna reporting system website.