Connect with us

News

What do Australian pharmacists know about CBD? A new survey aims to find out

CBD products will soon be available over-the-counter in Australian pharmacies.

Published

on

Medical cannabis pharmacies - what are your rights as a patient?
Researchers in Australia are surveying pharmacists to identify attitudes towards CBD

CBD products will soon be available over-the-counter in Australian pharmacies – but are pharmacists ready?

Researchers in Australia are surveying pharmacists to identify attitudes towards, experiences with and education level on prescription medicinal cannabis and low-dose CBD.

With the imminent arrival of over-the-counter CBD products in the country, pharmacists will become the new gatekeepers of patient access to certain types of medicinal cannabis products.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant, with evidence supporting its use in treating conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, pain and insomnia.

In 2020 Australia’s Therapeutics Goods Administration allowed low-dose CBD containing products, (up to a maximum of 150 mg/day) to be supplied over-the-counter by a pharmacist, without a prescription.

While the sale of CBD products has been approved, no products have yet been registered for distribution in Australia.

The survey has been launched by the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics and the led by pharmacist Ms Zeeta Bawa, with support from the Pharmacy Guild, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Sydney Pharmacy School at the University of Sydney.

Ms Bawa commented: “Pharmacists are a vital link in the access to medicinal cannabis products for the Australian community. We want to ensure their professional practice is supported in light of legislative changes affecting low-dose cannabidiol. This survey will form the basis on which tailored education and management strategies can be crafted”

Designed to be completed by pharmacists Australia-wide, the 10 minute online survey will investigate the attitudes and knowledge of pharmacists about medicinal cannabis and CBD products and assess the training needs in this area.

Professor Andrew McLachlan, head of University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, added: “This survey will help us to investigate the understanding and experience of pharmacists with cannabis-based medicines and better identify their needs to help achieve quality use of cannabidiol in the community.”

 

Sarah Sinclair is an award-winning freelance journalist covering health, drug policy and social affairs. She is one of the few UK reporters specialising in medical cannabis policy and as the former editor of Cannabis Health has covered developments in the European cannabis sector extensively, with a focus on patients and consumers. She continues to report on cannabis-related health and policy for Forbes, Cannabis Health and Business of Cannabis and has written for The i Paper, Byline Times, The Lead, Positive News, Leafie & others. Sarah has an NCTJ accreditation and an MA in Journalism from the University of Sunderland and has completed additional specialist training through the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society in the UK. She has spoken at leading industry events such as Cannabis Europa.

Trending

Cannabis Health is a journalist-led news site. Any views expressed by interviewees or commentators do not reflect our own. All content on this site is intended for educational purposes, please seek professional medical advice if you are concerned about any of the issues raised.

Copyright © 2024 PP Intelligence Ltd.