From 1 July 2023, authorised psychiatrists will be able to prescribe medicines containing the psychedelic substances psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of certain mental health conditions. 

The RANZCP has developed the following resources for psychiatrists who wish to become authorised prescribers, and to provide relevant information to other healthcare professionals and the broader community: 

1. A new Clinical Memorandum: Therapeutic use of MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for treatment resistant depression. It provides an overview and implications of the regulatory changes, key messages from the College, and considerations for use of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
2. An updated Clinical Memorandum: Therapeutic use of psychedelic substances. It provides information about psychedelic drugs other than MDMA and psilocybin.
3. A series of frequently asked questions and answers to assist psychiatrists, other health professionals, and the community in understanding what the changes mean in practice from 1 July.
4. A Psych Matters podcast episode Perspectives on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in clinical practice is also out now. It features Professor Richard Harvey (Chair, RANZCP Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Steering Group) in conversation with Professor David Castle (University of Tasmania) and Associate Professor Lynette Averill (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston and Yale School of Medicine). 

The RANZCP Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Steering Group is developing additional resources to be released in the coming weeks including principles for best practice and a training framework for psychiatrists. And next month, we will be hosting a member webinar featuring an expert panel with opportunity for Q&A – details to be announced soon.

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