Sandoz Canada Statement about Ontario Cannabis Announcement
Boucherville, August 15, 2018 – Sandoz Canada welcomes the Ontario government's announcement by Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli and Attorney General Caroline Mulroney on Monday to launch consultations regarding how the province will manage cannabis retail and distribution following its legalization by the federal government on October 17, 2018.
The Ontario government's decision to consult with businesses, healthcare professionals and patients prior to the introduction of the private retail model is a very positive signal. This is a unique opportunity to explain why pharmacies should be considered a place of business eligible to sell medical cannabis products.
“With the lion’s share of attention currently focused on how Canada’s new recreational cannabis market will operate, and following this latest development in Ontario, it is imperative that we commit to distinct differentiations between medical and recreational uses,” said Michel Robidoux, President and General Manager, Sandoz Canada. “These streams are not interchangeable. Moving forward, we must ensure that the medical cannabis stream is strengthened and becomes more accessible to serve the needs of patients in Ontario and the rest of Canada.”
If cannabis is used to treat a medical condition, Sandoz Canada believes that it should be distributed through appropriate channels to properly regulate the therapeutic intent of the treatment. If medical cannabis is authorized by a healthcare professional, it would be logical for it to be distributed by another professional, such as a pharmacist, so that patients can benefit from adequate follow-up and guidance from healthcare professionals if they wish. Sandoz Canada will share this vision during the upcoming consultation launched by the Ontario government.
About Sandoz
Sandoz Canada is part of Sandoz International GmbH, a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars and a subsidiary of Swiss multinational Novartis AG. A leader in its field, Sandoz Canada markets and distributes a broad line of generic, biosimilar, consumer and specialty products.
For further information:
Sandoz Canada Inc.
Paul Molpeceres
+1 450 641 4903 ext. 2562
[email protected]