Israeli cannabis inhaler available free to Aussie veterans

An Israeli medical cannabis inhaler to be issued free to eligible patients has been approved by Australia’s Department of Veterans Affairs.

Australian veterans suffering from chronic pain and other medical conditions can now access SyqeAir treatment.

Israeli company Syque Medical has announced that the SyqeAir Inhaler is the world’s first medical cannabis inhaler to be registered with the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). It delivers low, metered, and consistent doses of medical cannabis, offering patients a safe and effective treatment option that meets the highest clinical and regulatory standards.

Hagit Kamin, CEO of SyqeAir, said: “This approval by the DVA is a major milestone in making advanced pharmaceutical cannabis therapy accessible to veterans eligible for the treatment across a wide range of indications. It reflects growing global trust in SyqeAir as a medical device that enables controlled, reproducible cannabis inhalation in a pharmaceutical-grade manner. With our metered-dosing technology, we can deliver personalised, safe, and effective care without compromising quality, consistency, or clinical safety.”

For over three years, the inhaler has been used by thousands of patients successfully in Israel, in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Defence. These include veterans and personnel living with chronic pain and PTSD. The collaboration has demonstrated significant improvements in pain reduction and quality of life.

“Our partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Defense has helped thousands of IDF veterans manage chronic pain and PTSD through a metered, consistent, and beneficial therapy,” added Jacob Vogel, Director Of Global Sales And Business Development at Syqe Medical. “Now, we are proud to offer the same high standard of care to Australian veterans, ensuring they receive the best possible support.”

With the DVA’s support, eligible Australian veterans can now obtain full reimbursement of the SyqeAir Inhaler and Cartridges, increasing their access to innovative and effective pain management solutions. This reimbursement expands on existing pathways, as WorkCover also provides full reimbursement for eligible patients. By broadening access to this advanced therapeutic solution, Syqe Medical remains committed to working alongside healthcare providers, regulators, and support networks to ensure that all eligible veterans can benefit from this breakthrough treatment.

This initiative is one of several strengthening ties between Australia and Israel. Recently, Syqe Medical launched a Phase II clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of medical cannabis and the Syqe Inhaler in treating Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (DPNP) – a complication of diabetes affecting 50–60 million people worldwide (estimated). The study is currently underway at three sites in Australia—two in Sydney and one in Melbourne—and includes a partnership with Western Sydney University (WSU).
“We are proud to collaborate with WSU in promoting academic research that serves public health,” said Hagit Kamin. “We invite eligible participants in Australia, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Israel to participate in this groundbreaking study.”