Pubdate: Fri, 01 Jul 2016
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Page: A10
Copyright: 2016 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Phil Emberley

(NOT) IN THE MAIL?

For patients who rely on medical marijuana to relieve pain and treat 
chronic conditions, accessibility is critical. Under the current 
rules, medical marijuana is available exclusively by mail (Canada 
Post Disruption Looms - June 30).

Even if the current dispute is settled without a work stoppage, 
labour disruptions at Canada Post are not an anomaly. So why is 
Canada Post the only option for patients, who should not be left in 
the lurch as a result of a one channel distribution system that is 
untenable and unnecessary.

More than 40,000 pharmacists in urban, rural and remote communities 
could dispense and manage medical marijuana, through a network of 
community pharmacies purpose-built to securely handle controlled 
substances. No health-care provider is more accessible, or more 
educated to counsel patients about risks and drug interactions.

A mail-service disruption forces patients to go without treatment, or 
seek out illicit dispensaries where the product's safety is unknown. 
Changing the rules to allow pharmacist dispensing and management of 
medical marijuana is a simple solution to make safe products 
accessible to patients who need them most.

Phil Emberley, Canadian Pharmacists Association
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom