Characteristics of Cannabis-Based Consumer Health Products Users in Community Pharmacies in Portugal

OBJECTIVES: This survey aimed to characterize pharmacy customers who purchased a cannabis-based consumer health products (CB-CHP) in terms of demographic characteristics, purchase behaviour, and preferences regarding cannabis-based products.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, multicentre survey conducted in a pool of community pharmacies in Portugal. The questionnaire was integrated in the pharmacy software (SIFARMA®) and was triggered by the dispense of a CB-CHP. The pharmacist filled in the questionnaire through patient interview. Data was collected on patient demographic characteristics (sex, age, and region), purchase behaviour (purchased product, purchase motivator, the healthcare setting if medical prescriber, and intended use for the product), as well as preferred formulation for a product with the same intended use.

RESULTS: From August 21^st to October 23^rd, 2023, 129 (57.8%) of the enrolled pharmacies administered the questionnaire to 429 individuals. Around 60% were female. The mean age was 59.3 years (SD=16.6). Most patients were inquired in pharmacies located in urban areas (81.6%). The top 6 most frequently purchased products were creams/ointments for pain relief (85.8%). The pharmacist was the most frequent purchase motivator (63.4%), followed by a recommendation from a friend or family member (15.2%), and individual choice (12.1%). Almost 5% purchased a CB-CHP following a doctor recommendation, mostly from the private sector (61.9%). The most frequently reported health need was musculoskeletal pain (78.3%), followed by chronic pain (19.6%). For the same purpose, 82.7% would keep the current formulation.

CONCLUSIONS: CB-CHP users were mostly female of older age living in urban areas. The products were purchased mainly for pain relief, following a pharmacist recommendation. A small proportion purchased the product per doctor recommendation.