Unraveling the policies, legislations, and regulations of psychedelics in Australia, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, and India

IF 3.6 3区医学 Q1 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

Health Policy Pub Date : 2025-07-08 DOI:10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105392

Ramesh Joga , Sravani Yerram , Jayasri Devi Patnam , Khushbhoo K. Choudhary , Priya Varpe , Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi , Saurabh Srivastava

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Abstract

Background

Research into psychedelics has gained renewed interest due to their potential to address psychiatric, neurological, and other peripheral conditions. These substances offer long-term therapeutic benefits, contrasting with the side effects and limitations of current psychiatric medicines.

Objective

This study examines the legislations and regulatory frameworks for psychedelics in Australia, Canada, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and India, highlighting their varied approaches to legalization, medical use, and integration into healthcare systems.

Methods

A comparative analysis of the regulatory landscapes in the selected countries was conducted, focusing on policies, clinical trial practices, and the ethical considerations surrounding psychedelics. Data were drawn from government documents, regulatory databases, and peer-reviewed literature.

Results

Australia legalized MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, establishing a structured prescription system for authorized psychiatrists. Canada and The Netherlands supports therapeutic use through regulated clinical trials and limited exemptions under strict controls, reflecting cautious but progressive approaches. New Zealand demonstrates exploratory interest in psychedelics within a controlled regulatory framework. India maintains stringent prohibitions with severe penalties for possession and use, despite emerging research indicating potential medical benefits.

Conclusions

Australia, Canada, The Netherlands, and New Zealand have taken pioneering steps in integrating psychedelics into medical practice, guided by evolving scientific evidence and ethical considerations. In contrast, India's conservative regulatory stance highlights significant barriers to exploring the medical potential of psychedelics. As global perspectives shift, balancing scientific advancements with robust regulatory measures will be crucial for shaping public health policies and fostering therapeutic innovation.

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揭示澳大利亚、加拿大、荷兰、新西兰和印度的迷幻药政策、立法和法规

背景：由于迷幻药具有治疗精神、神经和其他外周疾病的潜力，对迷幻药的研究获得了新的兴趣。这些物质具有长期的治疗效果，与目前精神科药物的副作用和局限性形成对比。本研究考察了澳大利亚、加拿大、荷兰、新西兰和印度的致幻剂立法和监管框架，强调了它们在合法化、医疗使用和融入医疗保健系统方面的不同途径。方法对选定国家的监管格局进行比较分析，重点关注迷幻药的政策、临床试验实践和伦理考虑。数据来自政府文件、监管数据库和同行评议文献。结果澳大利亚将治疗创伤后应激障碍的MDMA和治疗难治性抑郁症的裸盖菇素合法化，并建立了授权精神科医生的结构化处方体系。加拿大和荷兰支持通过规范的临床试验和严格控制下的有限豁免进行治疗，反映出谨慎但渐进的做法。新西兰在管制框架内对致幻剂表现出探索性的兴趣。尽管新出现的研究表明其潜在的医疗益处，但印度仍然严格禁止持有和使用大麻，并对其进行严厉处罚。结论：澳大利亚、加拿大、荷兰和新西兰在不断发展的科学证据和伦理考虑的指导下，在将致幻剂纳入医疗实践方面迈出了开创性的一步。相比之下，印度保守的监管立场凸显了探索致幻剂医疗潜力的重大障碍。随着全球视角的转变，平衡科学进步与强有力的监管措施对于制定公共卫生政策和促进治疗创新至关重要。

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来源期刊

Health Policy 医学-卫生保健

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

6.10%

发文量

157

审稿时长

3-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Health Policy is intended to be a vehicle for the exploration and discussion of health policy and health system issues and is aimed in particular at enhancing communication between health policy and system researchers, legislators, decision-makers and professionals concerned with developing, implementing, and analysing health policy, health systems and health care reforms, primarily in high-income countries outside the U.S.A.