Pharmacists have been warned not to put profits above patient safety as the governing body released updated guidance on the dispensing of medicinal cannabis.
The Pharmacy Board of Australia said its members are “on notice” amid concerns that medicinal cannabis is not always being dispensed in the same way as other schedule 8 medicine.
It urged pharmacists to be “as careful and diligent” with medicinal cannabis as they would when supplying any other controlled medication.
It follows similar guidance issued to doctors by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in July.
“The guidance addresses the concerns of National Boards and AHPRA that profits may be being prioritised over patient safety,” the Pharmacy Board said.
It said examples of poor practice includes supplying excessive quantities of medicinal cannabis, no patient counselling on safe and effective use, supplying multiple products for a single patient so they can “try” different strains, brand substitution, storage of medicinal cannabis that is not compliant and failing to manage conflicts of interest.
Pharmacy Board chairwoman Dr Cameron Phillips said: “Most pharmacists are diligent and do the right thing when it comes to dispensing medicines.
“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.
“Patient safety is paramount when supplying prescribed medicines which is no different when supplying medicinal cannabis.”
The guidance said safe and appropriate supply includes determining the prescriber’s intentions, reviewing a patient’s medical history and “exercising independent judgement” to ensure the cannabis is “safe and appropriate”.
It added that pharmacists should contact the prescriber to discuss any concerns.
Disciplinary action has been taken against a number of pharmacists and prescribers in recent months amid a crackdown by regulators on poor practices.