Cannabidiol and the pharmaceutical industry

Abstract

In March 2018, Maltese parliament passed amendments to the Medicines Act, legalizing the production of medical cannabis, allowing medical practitioners to prescribe it. This law allows the therapeutic use of cannabis only with a doctor’s prescription based on patient’s medical needs. It facilitates the medical cannabis production under specific regulations. Companies specialized in medical cannabis must obtain a license issued by the Malta Medicines authority and must comply with Good Manufacturing Practice standards and undergo MMA assessment. Only licensed pharmacies are allowed to dispensed medical cannabis to patients presenting with a valid prescription. Currently, there is the emergence of cannabidiol products, representing a major shift in the Maltese cannabis pharmaceutical industry. The integration of these products started with the decriminalization of cannabis use and the regulatory support. There is a rise in demand for these products which shows a greater acceptance regarding its potential health benefits. Local community pharmacies offer a wide range of products including oils, creams and capsules and industries are investing more in the development of innovative CBD products. Therefore, this contributed to the Maltese medical cannabis market growth. This research aims to investigate pharmacists’ perception and experiences with medical cannabis, understand their current dispensing practices, and assess further progress of the medical cannabis industry in Malta. The approach consisted of carrying out a questionnaire targeting pharmacists and interviews with medical cannabis industry employees. The questionnaire results revealed variable opinions between pharmacists regarding the therapeutic benefits and challenges of dispensing medical cannabis. Pharmacists generally support the integration of medical cannabis into their practice, provided continuous professional development is undertaken. Interviews conducted with industry employees highlighted Malta’s progressive regulatory framework. Despite the supportive environment, challenges such as public misconceptions, limited local production facilities and bureaucratic hurdles remain. Strategic policy adjustments, enhanced education, and more initiative to promote the acceptance and utilization of medical cannabis, could help industries overcome these challenges. The findings showcased that despite the emergence of medical cannabis in Malta, further initiatives are required to face existing barriers and promote further the role of pharmacists in this evolving field. Recommendations include in depth training programs for pharmacists in cannabis for medical use, raising public awareness and enhance the regulatory framework.