Pubdate: Sat, 02 Jul 2016
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Paula McCooey

PHARMACISTS: DEAL US IN

But They Don't Want to Be Involved in Recreational Market

As the provincial government prepares for legal marijuana sales, 
pharmacists say they welcome the opportunity to dispense the drug for 
medicinal purposes - just don't get them into the recreational market.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association released its position on medical 
marijuana in April, stating that, given that there is a growing 
number of Canadians obtaining medical marijuana licences with minimal 
oversight by health-care professionals, it's important pharmacists 
play a front-line role in patient management and dispensing of 
medical marijuana.

"Based on expert consultations, third-party research and input from 
our members and their patients, CPhA believes that the best way to 
enhance patient safety, education and appropriate access is through 
pharmacist dispensing and management of medical marijuana, while 
promoting the use of non-smokable products as opposed to smokable forms."

Kent MacLeod, owner of NutriChem pharmacy on Richmond Road, agrees. 
MacLeod acts as a clinical consultant, particularly in the area of 
pain management. He says pharmacists are currently limited when it 
comes to treating pain with cannabinoids because pharmacists can only 
dispense oral doses based on a doctor's prescription. However, he 
says there are many cases where an over-the-counter cannabinoid spray 
or topical cream would be a better option.

"Several of my pain docs have problem patients where they've (taken) 
oral cannabinoids, for example, and we want to manipulate those oils 
into either creams or suppositories, because they are not tolerating 
them - or there are other issues, and I legally can't obtain them."

According to a recent survey conducted by Forum Research and 
published in the Toronto Star, very few Ontarians want marijuana sold 
at the LCBO. Out of 1,173 people polled, 35 per cent said a pharmacy 
is the most appropriate place to sell legal marijuana, 26 preferred 
dispensaries and 20 per cent voted for the Liquor Control Board of 
Ontario (LCBO).

While the results are a vote of confidence for the pharmacy industry, 
the chair of the Ontario Pharmacists Association says their mandate 
is solely focused on medicinal marijuana.

"We've surveyed our members, and I think our members overwhelmingly 
recognize and support a role in the distribution of medical 
marijuana," said Sean Simpson, owner of two pharmacies in the Toronto 
area. "But certainly they were a little less enthusiastic, I would 
say, about the recreational use. That's sort of the challenge or the 
discussion that would need to carry forward."

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne currently has several of her 
departments working on a cannabis strategy, analyzing how legalized 
marijuana will be handled by the justice system, and how it will 
impact areas such as health and road safety.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom