POT NEEDS FULL TEST

Re: "McLellan insists on pot trials," Aug. 27.

The Canadian Pharmacists' Association supports the federal health minister
on the need for research regarding the safety and efficacy of medical
marijuana.

At the same time, we encourage a proactive process to gather the necessary
information that will allow informed decision-making, so that patients who
might benefit from its use will have access to it in a timely manner.

CPA agrees marijuana should be subject to the same standards as other
prescription drugs. We fully appreciate doctors' reluctance to prescribe it
without proper evidence that it provides more benefit than harm. Work needs
to be done to develop a standardized product and to produce guidelines that
support physicians' prescribing. In the meantime, we're pleased it is still
available to patients on compassionate grounds.

Last spring, when the Marijuana Medical Access regulations were published
in Canada Gazette Part 1, CPA submitted its concerns in writing. They
include control of marijuana, quality and potency of product, safety and
efficacy, access to appropriate care and appropriate prescribing.

Jeff Poston

Ottawa

Jeff Poston is executive director of the Canadian Pharmacists' Association.