GOVERNMENTS need to work more with pharmacists in providing harm reduction services, fully involving them in the development of any policies regarding medical or recreational cannabis, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has said in a new Statement of Policy released at its Glasgow conference this week.
"This statement is extremely timely, given the escalating number of unnecessary deaths caused by the non-medical use of opioids and other drugs, and given the increasing discussions on cannabis policies around the world," said Andy Gray, vice president, FIP.
"The profession - pharmacists and their national organisations - needs to actively engage with governments and policymakers as these very fluid situations evolve.
"This is the key message of the statement," Gray added.
This new FIP Statement of Policy follows the publication of a report in Nov 2017 which described pharmacy services around the world that served to reduce harm from drugs of abuse.
The specifications made in the FIP report for what a comprehensive harm reduction service should include (for example, the supply of naloxone) have been affirmed by the FIP Council through their inclusion in the policy statement.
This FIP Council comprised representatives of 140 national pharmacy organisations across the globe.
"There is good evidence for involving pharmacists, and community pharmacies in particular, in a wide range of harm reduction activities.
"And, with regards to the supply of cannabis for medical purposes, the expertise of pharmacists must be utilised," Gray said.
The question of pharmacies supplying recreational cannabis was also discussed along with accompanying concerns around ethical obligations of pharmacists in the community.
CLICK HERE for the statement.
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