In response to Health Canada's consultation on a regulatory pathway for natural health products containing cannabis (NHPCCs), Neighbourhood Pharmacies is advocating for increased use of the community pharmacy channel to ensure Canadians using cannabis-containing products for any therapeutic or medical reason can do so conveniently, safely and effectively.
We believe NHPCCs should be made exclusively available in community pharmacies, who can provide the most beneficial combination appropriate clinical oversight, supportive public health and harm reduction intervention, and convenient and stigma-free access. The community pharmacy channel also offers flexible access options (i.e., OTC or behind the counter) and robust existing drug distribution systems.
We have also called for expanding community pharmacy’s role in the provision of medical cannabis, by enabling pharmacy dispensing of medical cannabis, as well as supporting programs for appropriately remunerated community pharmacy cannabis therapy assessment and prescribing services.