The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is recommending that separate streams for medical and recreational marijuana be established once recreational marijuana becomes legal. A dual system would ensure that medical cannabis patients receive the benefit of clinical oversight, while implementing health and safety measures for recreational users.

Medical and recreational marijuana are fundamentally different products, intended for use in very different ways. Medical marijuana users may seek out strains that provide symptomatic relief, while recreational users may seek out those with psychoactive effects. Therefore, to ensure optimal health outcomes, Canadians requiring marijuana for medical purpose should receive it within a health care setting that provides appropriate clinical oversight. Patients who require marijuana for medical purposes should not be forced into the recreational market.

In addition to the recommendations about maintaining dual streams, CPhA also made the following recommendations:

• Introduce a public education campaign to coincide with legalization
• Establish a minimum age for legal purchase
• Mandate product warnings
• Implement rigorous product management regulations
• Mandate training for retail staff

Regardless of the framework chosen to provide access to recreational marijuana, it’s clear that access to a separate stream for medical cannabis must continue to be available to patients, with the continued oversight of a licensed health care professional. Diverting patients away from the existing medical stream to an untested system intended for recreational use could jeopardize patient safety.

CPhA also believes that a front-line role for pharmacists in the management and dispensing of medical cannabis is in the best interest of patient safety.  In addition to providing secure and safe access to medications, pharmacists have the necessary expertise to mitigate the potential risks associated with using medical cannabis, including harmful drug interactions, contraindications and potential addictive behaviour.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) welcomes Health Canada’s announcement to improve acetaminophen safety. This will include a final revised labeling standard for non-prescription acetaminophen products, a limit of 325mg of acetaminophen in prescription acetaminophen combination products, and the creation of new educational materials.

CPhA has long asked the federal government to take additional steps to ensure that acetaminophen is taken appropriately. As an active participant in Health Canada’s technical discussions, CPhA believes that the government’s announcement represents a balanced approach to reinforce the importance of using the lowest effective dose of acetaminophen.

The organization also approves of the government’s intentions to introduce regulations for low-dose (8mg or less) codeine pro

ducts, many of which also contain acetaminophen. CPhA believes that this measure is an important part of acetaminophen safety, and urges the government to act expeditiously in this area.

Despite these new measures, there continues to be a critical need for patient education and awareness about the appropriate use of acetaminophen products. Pharmacists, who are Canada’s most accessible health care professionals, will play a key role in explaining these changes to Canadians and will continue to counsel patients on safe and appropriate use.

According to Euromonitor International, global sales of consumer health products will reach USD $217 billion globally in 2016—a 3 per cent growth from 2015. Of this, 45 per cent of sales will be made up by over-the-counter (OTC) medicine at USD $98.5 billion, driven by prescription drugs switching to OTC.

“An important push to switch drugs from prescription to OTC or non-prescription drugs continues to bring new market expansion opportunities for firms,” says Monica Feldman, head of consumer health industry research at Euromonitor. “This is especially true in the therapeutic areas of respiratory and digestive health and esomeprazole.”

Moreover, the U.S. continues to dominate the consumer health space at 31 per cent of the overall industry (worth USD $67 billion). When paired with China, Japan, Germany and Italy, these five countries comprise 61 per cent of global sales within consumer health, confirming that the industry is mainly driven by developments in a few geographies. This finding also signals an opportunity for market expansion in other countries with only 1 to 2 per cent global share in 2016, including South Korea, France, India and Mexico amongst others.

“This year, the new proposition for consumer health is founded on a formidable shift toward lifestyle and wellness programmes supported by a holistic approach to self-care,” Feldman continues. “These factors will create a unique window of opportunity based on the personalization of consumer health.”

Unilever PLC, the European giant behind Dove soaps, Becel and Ben and Jerry’s, has struck a deal to buy Seventh Generation Inc., a manufacturer of plant-based detergents and household cleaners.

According to someone familiar with the agreement’s terms, the transaction will cost Unilever roughly $700 million. The deal will allow Unilever to compete with rival Procter & Gamble in the U.S. markets for diapers, tampons, detergents and hand soap, segments that its competitor has traditionally dominated.

Founded in 1988, Seventh Generation had sales of more than $200 million last year. The Vermont-based company’s shareholders include its management; Catamount Ventures, a San Francisco venture-capital firm; private-investment funds; and Generation Investment Management LLP, a London-based fund created by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

“We look at this as having a multiplier effect for our business,” says Seventh Generation Chief Executive John Replogle. “We always aspired to be a billion-dollar brand. We see this as a springboard as opposed to throwing in the towel.”

Honson Pharmatech Group, a manufacturer and supplier of vitamins, herbal extracts and supplements for the nutraceuticals industry, has announced that Ken Davrey is their new vice-president.

Before working with the Toronto-based company, Davrey held a variety of positions at Swiss Herbal Remedies Ltd., including senior marketing manager and most recently, director of internartional sales.

Health Canada is planning to drastically revamp the regulation of natural health products. This will allow the organization to address concerns over misleading and unproven claims on product labels.

Under this proposed system, Health Canada would group natural health products, cosmetics and over-the-counter drugs together, regulating them based on their potential health risks.
In this system, many vitamins, homeopathic products and cosmetics would be classified as “low risk,” meaning that they would not be licensed by Health Canada. With this, manufacturers would still have to meet Health Canada’s quality standards, but would be prohibited from making disease prevention claims on product labels.

“Moderate” or “high” risk products, like over-the-counter painkillers and allergy medications, would be reviewed by Health Canada. Additionally, these products could only make health claims based on scientifically proven grounds.

Health Canada also announced that it might adopt new powers to issue mandatory recalls of natural health products that are found to be unsafe. Moreover, the department may impose user fees on companies that want to sell natural health products and cosmetics.

Given these suggestions, natural health and cosmetic retailers must be prepared to make any necessary changes to their labels. For any concerns about this matter, contact Health Canada directly at 1-866-337-7705.

Organic Garage has announced the rebranding of its logo and website, as well as the late 2016 opening of its newest Toronto store.

The new location—which will be Organic Garage’s largest store—will be located in the west end of Toronto at 43 Junction Road. This will also mark the first opening in a multi-store expansion into the Toronto Market.

“I am very excited for the opening of Organic Garage at 43 Junction Road, as is the local community, “ says Ward Councillor Frances Nunziata.“ With their healthy food choices, Organic Garage will help promote health and wellbeing in the community and I am sure it will become a destination store for many in Ward 11.”

The new location will include the following:

• 100% Certified Organic produce department with one of the largest selections available in Toronto
• Bulk section with over 100 items boasting over 80% Certified Organic SKUs and 3 fresh nut butter mills
• Fresh salad bar with unique and seasonal items
• Dedicated focus on local vendors throughout the store
• State of the art, environmentally friendly refrigeration and HVAC technologies
• 400+ car parking and patio seating
• Latest updates to our Organic Garage brand yet to be seen in the market
The company’s new logo and website are part of this brand expansion. To see the revamped site, head to www.organicgarage.com.