Pubdate: Fri, 08 Apr 2016
Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Hamilton Spectator
Contact:  http://www.thespec.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181
Author: Alexandra Posadzki
Page: A11

PHARMACISTS SEE ROLE IN DISPENSING CANNABIS

A pharmacists' group that initially nixed the idea of dispensing
medical cannabis has changed its stance, saying that pharmacists
should play a "front-line role" in providing access to the drug.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association says it has updated its position
because of its growing concern about what it calls a "lack of clinical
oversight" in the use of medical marijuana.

The group said in a release Thursday that pharmacists are "medication
experts" and therefore could help identify potential problems such as
drug interactions, contraindications and potentially addictive behaviour.

When Health Canada was developing its medical marijuana regulations,
which were implemented in 2013, the federal agency had proposed that
cannabis be distributed through pharmacies.

At the time, the pharmacists' association said it was concerned about
dispensing the product because of insufficient evidence about its
safety and effectiveness.

The group was also concerned that provincial and territorial
governments would not agree to such a system and was worried about
safety risks such as robberies.

"The medical marijuana landscape has changed significantly since we
first took a position on this issue," the association said in an email
Thursday.

"For instance, the number of medical marijuana users is growing, with
minimal involvement and oversight by health-care professionals."

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 strains.
"You have to try some different ones sometimes - with different THC or
CBD content - to make sure it addresses the symptoms of your
particular condition."

THC and CBD are abbreviations for tetrahydrocannabinol and
cannabidiol, two of the active components of medical marijuana.

Rivet says that moving distribution over to pharmacies and getting rid
of the mail-order system would also increase costs for consumers.
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MAP posted-by: Matt