Pubdate: Sat, 13 Jun 2015
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2015 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Tom Blackwell
Page: A4

HEALTH CANADA SLAMS POT PAYMENTS

Government-licensed medical marijuana producers should avoid making
"inappropriate" payments to individuals or groups, Health Canada has
warned just days after allegations surfaced that some doctors are
getting kickbacks from the companies.

As producers battle among themselves over who holds the moral high
ground in the fledgling cannabis industry, the government is insisting
that all the companies act with integrity.

"Health Canada expects licensed producers =C2=85 to be honest and ethical

in how they conduct their business and act professionally and in good
faith," the department declares in a bulletin issued earlier this week.

"They should also take care to avoid any situation that could
compromise the health and safety of patients; for example (by) giving
or offering inappropriate direct or indirect payments or inducements
to any individual organization."

Physicians write what are in effect prescriptions for medical
marijuana, which people then use to obtain pot from one of several
approved growers. Patients and certain producers say some doctors,
clinics and related groups push patients toward specific companies.

Those physicians and clinics also request and sometimes receive
payment from the firms of up to $350 per prescription, according to
evidence that includes emails and invoices disclosed by Tilray, one of
the producers.

The B.C. company has called the payments "kickbacks" as it conducts a
media offensive to try to set itself apart from competitors. Another
firm that admits to making payments to clinics, however, says the
money helps support the few health-care facilities willing to
prescribe medical marijuana.

Medical regulators say physicians should not be receiving payments of
any kind from marijuana companies.

After the kickback allegations were reported by the National Post,
Health Canada said it was concerned with the reports. Now it says the
producers it regulates must act ethically, as well as follow the
safety and security rules set out in legislation.

Tilray recently pulled out of the Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry
Association, saying the trade group had refused to adopt a code of
ethics that would bar kickbacks or other payments to health-care provider
s.

But Neil Belot, a spokesman for the association, said Friday it
already opposes such payments and would take action against any member
that violated the policy.

"As of right now, all we have is one licensed producer whose
membership with CMCIA has not been in good standing for several
months, spouting off with broad-sweeping allegations," he said. It is
"an apparent attempt to promote their own company at the expense of
their colleagues, fellow licensed producers, physicians, and patients."
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MAP posted-by: Matt