1 hr ago
New Zealand approves MDMA therapy for severe PTSD
New Zealand will allow two psychiatrists to use medical-grade MDMA to help some adults with severe PTSD.
PTSD can happen after very frightening or dangerous experiences.
The treatment will not be like taking a party drug at home.
Patients must receive it with psychotherapy in a controlled clinic.
An authorized psychiatrist will supervise the treatment.
Patients must be at least 18 years old.
New Zealand is the second country to approve this type of treatment after Australia.
Supporters say MDMA could help people who have not improved with other treatments.
U.S. officials have said more evidence is needed about its safety and effectiveness.
New Zealand has approved two psychiatrists to prescribe pharmaceutical-grade MDMA for severe PTSD.
The Medsafe decision makes New Zealand the second country to authorize MDMA therapy for PTSD, after Australia in 2023.
Treatment must combine MDMA with psychotherapy in a controlled clinical setting and cannot involve take-home drugs.
Only patients aged 18 or older will be eligible under the Ministry of Health’s conditions.
The United States rejected medicinal MDMA approval in 2024, citing insufficient evidence that it was safe or effective.
- Who
- Medsafe approved two New Zealand psychiatrists to prescribe pharmaceutical-grade MDMA for patients aged 18 or older with severe PTSD.
- What
- New Zealand approved MDMA-assisted therapy for severe post-traumatic stress disorder, with psychotherapy and clinical supervision.
- Where
- New Zealand, in controlled clinical settings under authorized psychiatrists.
- When
- The approval was announced Friday; Australia approved the treatment in 2023, while the United States rejected medicinal approval in 2024.
- Why
- Supporters say MDMA may provide an effective option for PTSD, which can be difficult to treat and has uneven response rates to existing medications.
Supporters of access
Caution about evidence and safety
Medical effectiveness
Supporters of access
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said PTSD ruins lives, is difficult to treat, and MDMA can be effective when used through psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Caution about evidence and safety
The United States rejected medicinal MDMA approval in 2024, saying there was not enough evidence that it was safe or effective.
Treatment safeguards
Supporters of access
New Zealand’s Ministry of Health says treatment will occur under psychiatric supervision, alongside psychotherapy, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Caution about evidence and safety
The U.S. rejection and continuing clinical trials reflect concerns that more evidence is needed before wider medicinal use.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Medsafe, New Zealand’s pharmaceutical regulatory body
- Eligible patients
- People aged 18 or older with severe PTSD
- Treatment setting
- A controlled clinical setting under an authorized psychiatrist
- Therapy requirement
- MDMA-assisted treatment must be combined with psychotherapy
- Take-home medication
- Patients will not be supplied drugs to take home
- Global status
- New Zealand is the second country to approve MDMA therapy for PTSD, after Australia in 2023
- U.S. position
- The United States rejected medicinal MDMA approval in 2024, citing insufficient evidence of safety and effectiveness
Quotes
New Zealand Ministry of Health
New Zealand government ministry explaining the treatment conditions
“Treatment takes place in a controlled clinical setting under the care of an authorised psychiatrist and forms part of a comprehensive treatment plan.”
CNBC TV 18
“MDMA can be very effective at treating it through psychedelic-assisted therapy.”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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