Shoppers Drug Mart is the first pharmacy to get on board with offering medical cannabis to those who need it most.
The online service was first offered in Ontario, but has since expanded to Alberta locations, including Cold Lake.
Dr. Hance Clarke, medical advisor for Shoppers Drug Mart and director of pain services at the Toronto General Hospital said, “Now, you’re going to get, by part, non-partisan information that can help you navigate this space.”
He stressed that doesn’t mean anything changes in terms of access.
”You still have to have a physician create a medical authorization. Once that form has been filled out, it can be sent to Shoppers in one of two ways: either faxed directly to them from the physician’s office, or if the patient prefers to, they could walk into any Shoppers Drug Mart in Alberta and have them forward the form to the clinical care centre.”
Jeff Leger, President, Shoppers Drug Mart said in a press release, “As trusted medication experts, pharmacists have an important role to play in the safe and informed use of medical cannabis. This launch in Alberta is a leap forward for those looking for professional oversight and trusted support in this area... Medical cannabis, like any prescribed medication, requires the same level of counsel from a healthcare professional. As medical cannabis is increasingly prescribed to Canadians for its therapeutic benefits, our goal is to enhance the service and support that patients receive through this process.”
There’s no cannabis on-site at any of their locations, which means those accessing medical cannabis can still expect it to come through the mail.
”The only legal way to get medical cannabis, regardless of how you source it, is through the mail,” explained Clarke, adding there are currently three different sources users can choose from: dried plants, oils, or capsules.
Clarke said an important aspect of going through a pharmacy is how they weigh-in other medications.
”When we talk about recreational cannabis, the theory here is Canadians now have this perception that cannabis is the cure-all or that we have this euphoria, that if you have any ailment, you take cannabis and it helps. That clearly isn’t going to be found to be the case. It’s going to have some benefit in some situations and not others, but if you start to self medicate via the recreational market, one thing’s for certain, you don’t know, one what you’re consuming - there’s no regulatory body testing or approving what you’re consuming - and secondly, what if you’re someone who has a complex medical condition? Let’s say you have high blood pressure, a kidney problem, a liver problem, these are all scenarios where you want to know and want to have guidance in terms of what you choose and how you titrate the dose accordingly,” he expressed. “There’s really no other medication someone should just go out, try to get some, and try it to see if it helps your symptoms.”
He added, “It’s still very early days. The key is to find a physician that helps guide you to a place that can give you information that’s helpful to you.”
More information is available online at the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers Drug Mart website.
