Medical marijuana dispensing eyed by Canadian Pharmacists Association
From cbc.ca
An association that represents individual pharmacists has changed its stance on medical cannabis, saying pharmacists should play a "front-line" role in dispensing the drug.
The Canadian Pharmacists Association says it has updated its position because it's growing concerned about what it calls a "lack of clinical oversight" in the use of medical marijuana.
The group says in a release issued Thursday that pharmacists are "medication experts" and therefore could help identify potential problems such as drug interactions, contraindications and potentially addictive behaviour.
However, licensed cannabis producers say they don't think that pharmacies should be the only way for patients to access medical marijuana.
"I think the pharmacy model is a good option for patients, but in addition to the existing mail order and customer service system we have today," said Greg Engel, the CEO of B.C.-based Tilray.
"That's giving patients options."
The Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry Association says that if pharmacies become the sole option, replacing the current mail-order system, that would leave patients at a disadvantage.
The association, which represents licensed cannabis producers, says it would be impossible for pharmacies to stock the hundreds of strains of marijuana that patients are able to access today.
Colette Rivet, executive director of the CMCIA, says it's important for patients to have a wide array of choices when it comes to strands.
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