The Cannatrek Foundation launches to provide support for veterans and first responders
The Cannatrek Foundation launches to provide support for veterans and first responders
This ANZAC Day, Australian health tech company Cannatrek is proud to launch the Cannatrek Foundation. This new not-for-profit organisation aims to support Australia’s most vulnerable patients, including veterans and first responders, with access to medicinal cannabis.
Operating as a separate entity from Cannatrek, the Foundation also aims to increase awareness of the health benefits of medicinal cannabis by promoting research and education to improve community health outcomes. Its support may comprise access to subsidised or free therapies for eligible community members including veterans, first responders, health professionals, the elderly, children, cancer patients, and other vulnerable groups. The Cannatrek Foundation, an independent entity, will continue to distribute and donate medicinal cannabis products provided by the Cannatrek group of companies, to eligible patients.
Currently, Australian patient groups requiring medicinal cannabis treatments are not provided with government support and are not covered by the pharmaceutical benefits scheme if they wish to access cannabis medicines. The Foundation supports these groups by providing them with medicines and healthcare services and intends to engage with the government for expanding future programs.
Cannatrek Group’s Founder and CEO Tommy Huppert says the vision of the Foundation is simple: “We believe in giving back. We aim to make life-changing medicines accessible to all patients in Australia, regardless of their socio-economic status.”
Mr Huppert visioned the Cannatrek Foundation, even before they secured its licenses. “To have achieved not-for-profit status last week is comforting, it means that the Foundation can help more people moving forward, further expanding its programs and capture the culture of care.”
The Cannatrek Foundation was established to expand and formalise the extensive healthcare support Cannatrek has already been providing for its patients over the past two years through its Compassionate Access Support Program (CASP). In the past 12 months, CASP has provided vulnerable patients with over $1 million in subsidies, leading the industry with its patient-centric approach. Moving forward, CASP will become part of the Foundation, supporting its efforts to strengthen community health and wellbeing.
The government’s National Health Survey 2021-22 shows that over a quarter (27%) of those who had ever served in the ADF had a mental or behavioural condition, compared with less than 1 in 5 (17%) who had never served (https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/veterans/health-of-veterans/contents/health-status).
Veterans suffer from health issues resulting from service, such as chronic pain, PTSD, poor sleep and anxiety. Traditional treatments may not always be effective, and in some cases, may cause unwanted side effects. Medicinal cannabis has been shown to be an effective alternative for managing these conditions and can be of great benefit to these individuals.
Dr Craig Nossel, an inaugural director of the Cannatrek Foundation is keen to broaden public awareness around potential health benefits of medicinal cannabis for those living with challenging health conditions.
"The Foundation will explore innovative plant-based solutions to tackle mental illness and other challenges facing our vets and first responders. We are partnering with universities and hospitals to discover new therapies to more effectively treat diseases such as anxiety disorder and PTSD."
“Our commitment to giving back to our patients continues in 2023 as we expand our efforts further. The Cannatrek Foundation’s aim is to improve the lives of patients who require access to medicinal cannabis, but find the cost prohibitive," says Mr. Huppert.
“At Cannatrek, we care about the health and well-being of all our patients. We work hard to make it possible for all medicinal cannabis patients to easily access the treatment they need to stay healthy and well.”
Tuesday 25 April 2023