The largest pharmacy chain in Canada locked up another major supplier of medical marijuana, as drug store chains across the country look to secure supply from a limited number of producers.
Shoppers Drug Mart will carry Tilray-branded medical cannabis products for sale nationwide through its online store, including whole flower, oil and capsules.
The products will be sourced from Tilray’s existing production facility in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The deal is subject to Health Canada’s approval of Shoppers Drug Mart’s application to be a licensed producer, which is necessary in obtaining a sales and distribution license.
Aphria, MedRelief, Maricann and CanniMed Therapeutics have also signed supply deals with Shoppers, Lovell Drugs and PharmaChoice.
“Involving pharmacies in the medical cannabis system opens up a new avenue for patient access – one that is already familiar to most Canadians,” Tilray CEO Brendan Kennedy told Marijuana Business Daily.
“Making medical cannabis available in pharmacies also underscores to the world that cannabis is a legitimate medical option for patients in need.”
Tilray expects to continue selling medical marijuana using the existing direct-to-patient system but said that distribution through online pharmacies will help dissolve lingering stigma.
“It’s a question of patient access, which is crucial in any medical program,” Kennedy said.
Tilray said it plans to explore supply arrangements with more pharmacies.
Matt Lamers can be reached at [email protected]
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