on November 21, 2013
Doctors in Saskatchewan will have to keep detailed records of all marijuana prescriptions, under new rules set by the province’s College of Physicians and Surgeons last week.
In light of Health Canada’s shift to a commercial medical marijuana industry, the college is hoping to deter Saskatchewan doctors from profiting off of prescription writing, reports The StarPhoenix.
College president Dr. Mark Chapelski elaborated at last week’s council meeting, explaining that the rules aim to prevent certain doctors from taking on the role of many.
“We didn’t want to see one doctor prescribing marijuana for 30,000 patients in Saskatchewan.”
The rules require doctors to record who marijuana is prescribed to, and when, as well as a written agreement describing the condition it is being used for and the duration of treatment.
According to The StarPhoenix, prescriptions for opiate painkillers are subject to similar requirements.
Interestingly, the college’s lawyer, Bryan Salte, who originally proposed the policies in September, is already expecting a backlash from the new rules.
“I fully expect whatever the college does, there will be complaints the college is blocking access to marijuana.”
The rules go above and beyond what Health Canada has outlined, and other provinces have yet to impose similar rules on their doctors.
On the other hand, the issue of prescribing marijuana for profit was already present under Health Canada’s previous system, with certain doctors facing criminal investigations as a result.
And just recently, an Ottawa-based company was established to connect patients with marijuana-friendly doctors.
While Saskatchewan’s new rules may prevent similar activity from happening in the province, many Canadians still find it difficult to talk to their doctors about using medical marijuana.
[The StarPhoenix] You can read this story on https://www.facebook.com/Canadian420nurses
In light of Health Canada’s shift to a commercial medical marijuana industry, the college is hoping to deter Saskatchewan doctors from profiting off of prescription writing, reports The StarPhoenix.
College president Dr. Mark Chapelski elaborated at last week’s council meeting, explaining that the rules aim to prevent certain doctors from taking on the role of many.
“We didn’t want to see one doctor prescribing marijuana for 30,000 patients in Saskatchewan.”
The rules require doctors to record who marijuana is prescribed to, and when, as well as a written agreement describing the condition it is being used for and the duration of treatment.
According to The StarPhoenix, prescriptions for opiate painkillers are subject to similar requirements.
Interestingly, the college’s lawyer, Bryan Salte, who originally proposed the policies in September, is already expecting a backlash from the new rules.
“I fully expect whatever the college does, there will be complaints the college is blocking access to marijuana.”
The rules go above and beyond what Health Canada has outlined, and other provinces have yet to impose similar rules on their doctors.
On the other hand, the issue of prescribing marijuana for profit was already present under Health Canada’s previous system, with certain doctors facing criminal investigations as a result.
And just recently, an Ottawa-based company was established to connect patients with marijuana-friendly doctors.
While Saskatchewan’s new rules may prevent similar activity from happening in the province, many Canadians still find it difficult to talk to their doctors about using medical marijuana.
[The StarPhoenix] You can read this story on https://www.facebook.com/Canadian420nurses
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