CARE
Local Cannabis Piques Pharmacists’ Curiosity Nearly 1,500 New Zealand doctors and pharmacists have now registered on MCinfo.com – a dedicated and comprehensive medicinal cannabis information service.
he surge in interest follows a recent Zoom series of educational presentations organised and hosted by MCinfo.com. The latest one titled ‘Medicinal Cannabis: A pharmacist’s perspective’ featured James Yu, charge pharmacist and co-owner of Ngā Hua Pharmacy in Hamilton. “James is one of New Zealand’s leading medical voices in this area and has arguably processed more medicinal cannabis prescriptions than anyone in the country. Since promoting his presentation, a significant number of pharmacists have joined MCinfo which is great for Kiwi patients,” said Don Budge, director of DATAPHARM which built and runs MCinfo. Registration to MCinfo is free for doctors and pharmacists with Yu’s presentation, and others, now uploaded for those registered to view. “James is focused on raising awareness of the potential of medicinal cannabis by educating other pharmacists and doctors about it. He’s also keen to remind Kiwis that quality New Zealand-made CBD products are now available
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at considerably less cost,” said Budge. While only MCinfo-registered doctors and pharmacists can access the prescribers’ portal, anyone can access MCinfo’s up-to-the-minute information on the use, potential benefits and risks of CBD, THC, and other medicinal cannabinoid products “It’s good to see more of New Zealand’s over 3,500 practising pharmacists familiarising themselves with medicinal cannabis. Helping them spark into action is the fact that patient enquiries have increased since Kiwi-made products come onto the market last year. With demand only set to grow, we’re calling on other healthcare professionals to register on MCinfo,” he said. It makes sense for pharmacists to upskill on medicinal cannabis as they’re often the first port of call for enquiring patients, and doctors also quiz them. “To give the appropriate advice, it’s critical that pharmacists understand medicinal cannabis. What’s more, improving professional knowledge helps remove barriers for patients keen to learn
