Pharmacists Manitoba Conference

Session J

Reviewing the “Budding” Evidence - A Primer For Pharmacists to Understand and Apply Knowledge Behind the Efficacy and Safety of Cannabis as a Therapeutic Option for Patients

Shelita Dattani, B.Sc. (Pharm), Pharm.D., Director, Practice Development and Knowledge Translation, Canadian Pharmacists Association

Shelita Dattani received her bachelor of science in pharmacy from Northeastern University and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sheli has worked in numerous practice settings including hospital, community, academic, GPO (group purchasing organization) and industry in the US and Canada. Sheli has also held teaching appointments at the University of Ottawa and has precepted students at the University of Waterloo and University of Toronto. . She has authored several articles, book chapters and she has presented in various capacities at local and national conferences.

In May 2016, Shelita joined CPhA full time as Associate Director, Professional Development. Since June 2017, Shelita is now Director, Practice Development and Knowledge Translation at CPhA where she is responsible for the vision and leadership of evidence informed professional development and practice tools to support the advancement of pharmacists practice in Canada. She is also responsible for leading the transfer and mobilization of pharmacy practice research knowledge to the pharmacy community to support practice advancement and enhance patient care.

Sheli maintains a part time practice in community and remote hospital telepharmacy. She is a member of several professional organizations and holds active pharmacist licenses in Ontario and Indiana. Sheli has a strong interest and passion for advancement of the pharmacy profession.

Session

Pharmacists are highly accessible health care providers who have trusted relationships with patients. As more patients are prescribed medical cannabis for a number of conditions, pharmacists are increasingly approached by patients and other health care providers to provide support and guidance around the efficacy and safety of this complex therapeutic entity.

This session will give pharmacists some foundational knowledge with respect to the pharmacology and therapeutics behind cannabis and cannabinoids. The availability of prescription cannabinoids and medical cannabis in Canada will be discussed as well as known information behind dosing, routes of administration, safety and drug interactions. A brief overview of available evidence behind both prescription cannabinoids and medical cannabis in Canada will be reviewed.

Sponsored by the Canadian Pharmacists Association.