The path to a medically supervised cannabis therapy is clearly structured with us: from the first appointment through the medical assessment to ongoing follow-up care. Most consultations take place via telemedicine – so you can reach us from anywhere in Switzerland. Our practice is located in Grenchen, and our doctors work from Zurich, Olten and Bern, among other places.
Whether treatment with cannabis-based medicines is an option for you is decided only after an individual medical assessment. There is no entitlement to a particular medicine – the indication is reviewed personally in every case.
How it works in four steps
- Step 1Book an appointment
- Step 2Medical assessment
- Step 3A prescription, if appropriate
- Step 4Follow-up care
1. Book an appointment online – or a referral
Book your appointment conveniently online through our partner arzt-direkt. Alternatively, you can be referred by your general practitioner or specialist – ideally together with your existing patient records. Please check in advance whether your insurance model requires a referral or authorisation.
2. Medical assessment & indication review
During the consultation – often via telemedicine – we review your medical history, previous treatments and any prior findings together with you. We check for contraindications, address any open questions and assess whether treatment with cannabis-based medicines is medically justifiable in your situation. If necessary, we will ask you to come to our practice in Grenchen for a physical examination.
3. A prescription, if appropriate
If an indication is given, a prescription can be issued – usually as a compounded (magistral) formulation. You can fill it at a pharmacy; on request, we will send it to a pharmacy that specialises in cannabis formulations and that can also deliver the medicine to your home. Cannabis-based medicines require a prescription; we discuss the costs transparently with you.
4. Close ongoing follow-up care
We support your therapy on an ongoing basis. In regular – often telemedical – follow-up reviews, we adapt the treatment to your needs, monitor its effect and any possible side effects, and are there for you whenever you have questions.
An assessment may be worthwhile if …
- you have persistent symptoms that affect your everyday life
- previous treatments have not worked sufficiently or have caused distressing side effects
- you would like a medical opinion on a possible cannabis therapy
- you are willing to have a treatment closely supervised by a doctor
Less suitable, or requiring particular caution, in cases of …
- acute emergencies – in that case contact emergency services or call 144
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- certain pre-existing psychiatric conditions (e.g. psychoses)
- being a minor without specialist supervision
Whether treatment is possible is always determined by the individual medical assessment – this overview does not replace it.
What to have ready for your first appointment
So that we can assess your situation carefully, please have the following ready for your first appointment – where available:
- a current list of medications
- previous diagnoses and medical reports relating to your symptoms
- details of treatments already tried and their effect
- your insurance model (e.g. family-doctor or Telmed model)
If you are missing some of these, that is not an obstacle – we will discuss everything else together.
Telemedicine – available throughout Switzerland
For a telemedical consultation, all you need is a stable internet connection and a device with a camera. Where a physical examination is necessary, we will see you in person in Grenchen.
Costs explained briefly
We bill the consultations – like a general practitioner's appointment – via the basic mandatory health insurance (Grundversicherung), on a tiers payant basis. The cannabis-based medicines themselves are generally not covered by health insurance; an application for cost coverage (Kostengutsprache) is possible, but processing often takes weeks to months. You will find all the details on the Costs page.
Still have questions?
You will find answers on costs, health insurance, fitness to drive and travel in our frequently asked questions. Whether a treatment is an option for you is explained under Indications – the basics on active substances and the legal situation can be found under Medical Cannabis.