THE Pharmacy Board of Australia has today published guidance reminding pharmacists of their duty of care when supplying prescribed medicinal cannabis products, updating guidance issued earlier this year (PD 09 Jul).
It addresses the concerns of National Boards and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) that "profits may be being prioritised over patient safety", and pharmacists are reminded that they should be as "careful and diligent...as they would when supplying other drugs of dependence".
Most medicinal cannabis products prescribed in Australia are unapproved and have not been assessed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for safety, quality, performance or effectiveness.
The Board warned pharmacists they "are on notice", pointing out that most medicinal cannabis is a Schedule 8 medicine and "safe practice must apply".
"Most pharmacists are diligent and do the right thing when it comes to dispensing medicines," Pharmacy Board of Australia Chair, Dr Cameron Phillips said.
"With the exponential increase in the number of scripts being written for medicinal cannabis, the Board thought it was timely to remind all pharmacists of their obligations when supplying such products."
Regulators are working together to understand prescribing and dispensing patterns, to help them stay ahead of emerging trends.
Read the guidance HERE. KB
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