Name & Professional Title:
Sohee Lim, Lead Pharmacist.
How long have you been practising as a pharmacist?
7 years.
What inspired you to become a pharmacist, and how did you get involved in medicinal cannabis?
I have always wanted to work in the healthcare industry since high school, and I followed a natural progression into pharmacy.
I wanted to broaden my scope of practice beyond traditional community pharmacy.
What do you find most rewarding about working with medicinal cannabis patients?
Providing patients with a holistic treatment option, especially in cases where conventional therapy has been unsuccessful.
What’s your approach to patient care at the dispensary?
Patient autonomy and safety is at the forefront of my work.
I put great effort into maintaining systematic processes in the dispensary to maximise efficiency. My goal is to provide medicinal cannabis to patients as soon as possible while complying to all regulations fully.
How do you stay informed about the latest developments in medicinal cannabis products and treatments?
I update myself with any new resources or products released by suppliers and/or the Ministry of Health.
I also participate in group continuing professional development (CPD) meetings with my fellow pharmacist peers.
How do you collaborate with the CannaPlus+ doctors, nurses, and other team members to provide patients with comprehensive care?
Our dispensary team participates in regular ‘Continuing Medical Education’ (CME) sessions with other health professionals. Here we discuss various case studies and the clinical implications of using different cannabis products to benefit patients. We are also in regular contact with all our doctors and nurses within the clinic, which greatly reduces the time it takes for us to resolve any potential prescription queries or issues.
What advice would you give to patients about using medicinal cannabis safely and effectively?
If you are unfamiliar with using cannabis, it is important to discuss the different strains and dosing schedule with your doctor beforehand. In general, the ‘start low, go slow’ approach is a safe and effective way to find a suitable dose that is unique to your own needs. Different components in cannabis products (such as a chemical compound called terpenes) can affect the way particular products can make you feel, so don’t be afraid to discuss the options with your doctor. Keeping an open, honest conversation with your doctor and pharmacist will help maximise the benefits that can be obtained from using medicinal cannabis for your condition.
What’s something patients might be surprised to learn about the role of a pharmacist in medicinal cannabis care?
We maintain close communication with our suppliers to ensure continuous supply of cannabis products that meet the minimum quality standard.
Can you share a memorable or humorous moment you’ve experienced while helping a patient at the dispensary?
A patient contacted our dispensary and was very nervous to begin her dosage titration with her CBD oil. She was reassured after we had a chat with her over the phone about potential side effects, and how these can be minimised by starting the product at a low dose and building up the amount taken slowly as per the doctor’s instructions.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Yoga, listening to podcasts.
What’s one thing you think is important for patients to understand about the products you help them with?
While medicinal cannabis can be a fantastic holistic product where conventional treatment has been unsuccessful, it is important to remember it is only one element of your treatment plan. Lifestyle modifications and other non-drug measures are equally important so please discuss this with your health professional so you can receive the most optimal treatment.
