Health Canada Approves First Special Access Program Requests for Psilocybin
This page describes Health Canada’s first known Special Access Program authorization for psilocybin, issued on March 21, 2022, to support treatment for six patients experiencing end-of-life distress. It outlines the application, the role of TheraPsil, and the collaboration with clinicians, legal support, and suppliers
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This page summarizes the first known case of psilocybin access through Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP) after regulatory changes on January 5, 2022. It describes how Dr. Valorie Masuda received authorization to treat six patients experiencing end-of-life distress with psilocybin and psychotherapy, with GMP synthetic psilocybin donated by Psygen Labs Inc. and support from Apex Labs Ltd.'s investigators' brochure. The article also explains that the SAP requests were prepared after section 56 exemptions had been denied or left unanswered, and that some patients were referred by TheraPsil. It references the collaboration between Health Canada’s SAP team, clinicians, and pro bono legal support in enabling access. The content is most relevant for healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and people interested in the regulatory pathways for psilocybin access in Canada. It is an informational news summary rather than a training program, and no formal course structure, certificate, or assessment details are provided.
Who is this for?
Healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and readers interested in psilocybin access and Canadian drug regulation
About the Provider
TheraPsil is a Canadian grassroots nonprofit advancing compassionate, legal access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy through clinician training, patient advocacy, and legal reform, having trained over 700 healthcare professionals since 2019. The organization assists Canadians in navigating Health Canada's Special Access Program, supports patient-rights litigation in Federal Court, and operates the PsilWell community-funded clinical trial exploring psilocybin-assisted therapy for general wellbeing.
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- PricePrice on request
- Lifecycle statusNo New Dates
- SkillsPsychotherapyPsilocybin TherapyUnderstanding Canada’s Special Access Program for psilocybinInterpreting regulatory pathways for compassionate accessReviewing clinician and legal roles in SAP applicationsUnderstanding access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy
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