Australian Pharmacists Support Legal Medical Cannabis Through Pharmacies but See Barriers | Research

The takeaway

Interviews with 34 Australian pharmacists found most supported legalization of standardized medical cannabis and identified community pharmacies as the most appropriate supply setting, while raising concerns about stigma, safety, and training gaps.

Read this if you are interested in how pharmacists view their role in medical cannabis programs.

Majority of pharmacists supported legalization but identified significant training gaps

What the researchers found

As Australia prepared to legalize medical cannabis, this study captured the views of 34 practicing pharmacists who would be responsible for dispensing it.

The majority supported national legalization of a standardized cannabis product and believed community pharmacies were the most suitable supply setting due to patient accessibility. Pharmacists identified themselves as essential gatekeepers who could ensure safe, informed access.

However, several barriers emerged. Stigma around cannabis remained a concern, both from pharmacists themselves and from other healthcare providers. Safety questions about dosing, drug interactions, and side effects needed addressing. Most importantly, pharmacists highlighted a significant knowledge gap, noting they would need evidence-based training to confidently counsel patients.

The pharmacists also raised ethical and professional issues, including how to handle patient requests for conditions without strong evidence, and how to manage the transition from illicit to pharmaceutical supply.

Why it matters

Pharmacists are the final link between patients and their medications. Their perspectives on barriers, training needs, and practical implementation challenges are essential for successful medical cannabis programs. These findings directly informed Australian policy development.

The numbers in context

34 registered pharmacists interviewed. Majority supported legalization and pharmacy-based supply. Key themes: stigma, legislation, safety, and collaboration. Community pharmacy identified as most suitable setting.

How the study worked

Semi-structured interviews with 34 registered pharmacists across Australia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo software.

What this study cannot tell us

Small qualitative sample from one country. Pharmacists who agreed to participate may have been more favorable toward medical cannabis than the broader profession. Views were captured before implementation, so some concerns may not have materialized in practice.

How to read the evidence

Qualitative study with thematic analysis providing rich contextual data, but limited sample size and generalizability.

When this study was published

Published in 2016, before Australia implemented its medical cannabis program. Pharmacist perspectives may have evolved with experience.

The bigger picture

This study represents one of the first systematic examinations of pharmacist perspectives on medical cannabis anywhere in the world. The barriers identified, including stigma, knowledge gaps, and uncertainty about evidence, are universal challenges that any jurisdiction implementing medical cannabis programs must address.

Questions still open

Have pharmacist attitudes changed since legalization? Has the training gap been adequately addressed? Do patients actually prefer getting cannabis from pharmacies versus dispensaries?

Common questions

Do pharmacists support medical cannabis?

In this Australian study, the majority supported legalization of standardized medical cannabis and saw community pharmacies as the best supply setting, though they wanted evidence-based training first.

What concerns do pharmacists have about dispensing cannabis?

Key concerns included stigma from colleagues and patients, inadequate knowledge about dosing and drug interactions, and uncertainty about which conditions have sufficient evidence for cannabis treatment.

Read the original research

The Role of Medicinal Cannabis in Clinical Therapy: Pharmacists' Perspectives.

PloS one, 11(5), e0155113

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Isaac, Sami; Saini, Bandana; Chaar, Betty B. (2016). The Role of Medicinal Cannabis in Clinical Therapy: Pharmacists' Perspectives.. PloS one, 11(5), e0155113. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0155113