Now that cannabis is legal in Canada, the Ontario College of Pharmacists has mandated that all pharmacists must complete an accredited course on cannabis by March 2020.
Although many of the pharmacists at Palermo Pharmacy have completed other courses and educational sessions in regards to cannabis, the accredited course will ensure all pharmacists have been provided the same education and information throughout Ontario. The course will delve into a pharmacist’s ethical, legal and professional responsibilities when it comes to cannabis. It will also detail the benefits and risks of cannabis, dosage forms and common side effects.
The Toronto Star summarized this new initiative in an April 26, 2019 article (https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/04/26/ontario-pharmacists-now-required-to-complete-course-in-cannabis-education.html).
In depth information about the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) Cannabis Strategy for Pharmacy can be found on their website at http://www.ocpinfo.com/about/key-initiatives/cannabis-strategy-for-pharmacy/