Pubdate: Thu, 30 Mar 2017
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Lisa Wright
Page: B1

MEDICAL POT PART OF STAFF BENEFITS AT SHOPPERS, LOBLAW

Pharmacy retailer aims to cover up to $1,500 a year for cases with
'compelling clinical evidence'

Canada's largest pharmacy chain hopes to soon get the green light to
sell medical marijuana - and now its store employees who need that
prescription weed could be among its first customers.

Loblaw Companies Limited and Shoppers Drug Mart just announced in an
internal staff memo that effective immediately it will be covering
medical pot under the employee benefit plan up to a maximum of $1,500
per year.

Claims to insurance provider Manulife "will be considered only for
prescriptions to treat spasticity and neuropathic pain associated with
multiple sclerosis and nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy for cancer
patients," said Basil Rowe, senior vice-president of human resources
at Loblaw Companies Ltd., owner of Shoppers, in the memo.

"These are the conditions where the most compelling clinical evidence
and literature supports the use of medical marijuana in therapy,"
explained Loblaw/Shoppers spokesperson Tammy Smitham.

"We will continue to review evidence as it becomes available for other
indications (conditions)," she said.

Since cannabis does not yet have a Drug Identification Number
recognized by insurers, it isn't covered under typical drug spending.
However, it will be covered through a special authorization process
where plan members will pay and submit their claim after, Smitham said.

About 45,000 employees will be eligible, including 22,000 Shoppers
store staff and 3,000 corporate staff along with 20,000 corporate and
store management employees at George Weston/Loblaw, including Weston
Foods, she said.

"To date, coverage of medical marijuana under group insurance plans is
extraordinarily rare," said Manulife spokesperson Anne-Julie Gratton,
who did not comment on Shoppers specifically.

With Canada on the cusp of legalization, Shoppers applied last October
to become a licensed marijuana producer for the purpose of retailing
medicinal weed but hasn't got word on approval yet. Ottawa is in the
midst of overhauling pot laws under the Trudeau Liberals.

"It's just good business and very intelligent branding," said Khurram
Malik, lead cannabis financial consultant at Jacob Capital Management.
"Considering they want to retail it, it would be hypocritical of them
not to make it accessible to their employees."

He says Shoppers/Loblaw would be the largest private sector company to
offer the benefit to employees. The average cost of medical marijuana
is about $7 a gram, he said, and the annual cost to consumers is about
$1,300 to access the drug, based on average consumption of half a gram
per day.

Currently, patients with prescriptions are only legally permitted to
buy medical marijuana directly from licensed producers and have the
product mailed, though some access the many pot dispensaries that have
popped up in recent years.

"We believe that pharmacists are medication experts and that pharmacy
is a safe and logical option for the dispensing of medical marijuana,"
Rowe said.

"While at this time pharmacies are unable to dispense this specific
drug therapy, we continue to work toward an active role for pharmacy,"
says his note sent to employees Monday. "The company is committed to
helping you and your family live a better life by supporting your
health and well-being," he added. Meanwhile a recent Forum Research
poll found a majority of Canadians - 61 per cent - are high on
Shoppers Drug Mart selling medicinal marijuana, especially young
adults and higher-income earners.
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MAP posted-by: Matt