Retail Pharmacy spoke with Nicole Le Maistre, General Manager of Leafio – Montu’s medical cannabis distribution arm about how Montu and Leafio are empowering pharmacists in the medical cannabis space.
Can you provide some background on Montu and its wholesale distribution arm, Leafio?
Montu was established in 2019 with the mission of transforming access to medical cannabis in Australia – and is now Australia’s largest medical cannabis supplier. The company recognised a significant gap in the market: patients and healthcare providers were navigating a complex, fragmented system that made it challenging to access safe, reliable, and high-quality medical cannabis treatments. Montu’s goal has always been to simplify this process, offering a seamless experience for patients, prescribers, and pharmacists while ensuring better health outcomes. To manage this, Montu’s wholesale division, Leafio was created, and quickly became Australia’s largest and most reliable wholesale medical cannabis distributor.
Leafio, has been the leader in streamlining access to medicinal cannabis. What steps can pharmacists take to help patients navigate the prescribing process and ensure seamless access to treatment/care?
Pharmacists play a vital role in guiding patients through the prescribing process. By staying informed about the latest medical cannabis regulations and products, pharmacists can educate patients on what to expect and work closely with prescribers to ensure smooth communication and coordination. Offering resources, answering questions, and providing compassionate, non-judgmental support are key steps pharmacists can take to help patients navigate their treatment journey.
Montu “touches on every part of the patient experience.” Can you tell us more about this and the role that community/retail pharmacists can play within the overall patient experience in the medical cannabis space?
Montu’s patient-first approach encompasses everything from education and consultations to product distribution and ongoing support. Community and retail pharmacists are integral to this process as they are often the first point of contact for patients with questions or concerns about their treatment. Pharmacists can enhance the patient experience by offering guidance on dosage, managing potential side effects, and ensuring timely access to prescribed products. By building trust with patients, pharmacists play a key role in their ongoing care.
Leafio, which “is solving medical cannabis distribution.” Can you elaborate on this and share insights into how community/retail pharmacists can work with Leafio around dispensing medical cannabis to their patients?
Leafio is dedicated to optimising the distribution of medical cannabis, ensuring that products are accessible, reliable, and delivered efficiently. Community and retail pharmacists can collaborate with Leafio to streamline the ordering and dispensing process, providing patients with consistent access to their prescribed medications. Leafio’s focus on seamless logistics means pharmacists can spend more time supporting patients and less time navigating supply chain challenges.
What sets Leafio apart from other medical cannabis wholesalers?
Leafio has become Australia’s leading wholesaler of medical cannabis products, trusted by pharmacies nationwide. We offer next-day delivery, the largest selection of reliable brands, a seamless ordering process, and personalised support through a dedicated key account manager for every pharmacy. In addition, our Government Relations, Medical Affairs, and Regulatory teams work diligently to ensure Leafio meets the stringent compliance standards set by the TGA.
How can pharmacists play a more proactive role in supporting patients prescribed medical cannabis?
Pharmacists can take a proactive role by staying up-to-date on medical cannabis education and being an approachable resource for patients. This includes engaging in open conversations about treatment options, providing clear instructions on usage, and monitoring for side effects or drug interactions. Building relationships with prescribers and leveraging tools like Leafio’s streamlined online ordering system, and next-day delivery can also enhance the level of care pharmacists provide. Leafio recently launched an online, login only, Pharmacy Hub where pharmacists can access the latest news, information about dispensing, industry standards and updates on rules and regulations.
How do you see the medical cannabis industry evolving in Australia?
The medical cannabis industry in Australia is growing rapidly, with increased patient awareness and greater acceptance among healthcare providers. The Australian medical cannabis market was valued at $138 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at 33.6% CAGR from 2024–2030.[1] Pharmacists should prepare for a broader range of products, evolving regulations, and a need for deeper knowledge about cannabis-based therapies. Staying informed, embracing technology for efficient dispensing, and prioritising patient education will be crucial as demand continues to rise.
Where can pharmacists go for more information?
For more information about dispensing medical cannabis, supporting patients, or learning about Montu and Leafio, reach out to the Leafio team at: https://shop.leafio.com.au/pages/contact.
Reference
1. Grand View Research. Australia Medical Cannabis Market Trends. Available at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/australia-medical-cannabis-market-report# (accessed 10/09/24).
This interview was first published in the March issue of Retail Pharmacy.
