Patient Announcement - Medical Cannabis by Shoppers™
To our valued patient,
We are writing to inform you about upcoming changes to Medical Cannabis by Shoppers. Effective July 31st, 2023, Medical Cannabis by Shoppers will transition our medical marketplace and services to MyMedi.ca, a new medical cannabis care platform run by Avicanna.
MyMedi.ca will continue to have pharmacist-led patient support programs, provide specialty services to distinct patient groups including pediatrics, seniors, veterans, compassionate care, and reimbursement services in collaboration with public and private payers. MyMedi.ca aims to supply a similar product portfolio including various formats, brands, and competitive pricing to best serve you as a patient.
Your medical document will be valid on the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers site until July 31st, 2023. Between now and then, you will receive information related to the new portal and, beginning in early May, details on how to provide consent to transfer your medical authorization. Our pharmacy and cannabis care teams will support you through this process and answer any questions that may arise.
We appreciate the trust you placed in us and regret any inconvenience this causes. You can reach out to Shoppers Cannabis Care toll-free at 1-844-633-2627.
PATIENT FAQ
Questions about the Patient Transfer
What are my next steps as a patient?
You can continue to order your desired products and have access to the same patient support from the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers Care team until July 31st, 2023.
Starting May 1st, 2023 you can provide your consent to have your medical document, registration and order history transferred to Avicanna’s MyMedi.ca platform. to your account to access the Consent page. Click “Agree” and “Submit”.
Alternatively, you can call our Shoppers Cannabis Care team at 1-844-633-2627 and an agent will be happy to assist you with your consent for transfer to MyMedi.ca or support your transfer to another provider.
What happens after I provide consent?
Once you provide consent for transfer, your patient record will be transferred to MyMedi.ca on August 1, 2023.
On August 1st, you will receive an email from MyMedi.ca asking you to enter a new username, password, and security question to begin shopping with MyMedi.ca. Your prescription, order history, and insurance policy usage (if applicable) will be transferred with your records.
In the meantime, keep shopping with us for all your medical cannabis needs.
Will MyMedi.ca provide a discount for completing the transfer?
Yes, as token of our appreciation, MyMedi.ca is pleased to offer a 20% discount on your first purchase order and a $20 discount on sales over $100 on your second order.
What happens if I do not provide consent?
Your consent to transfer your information to the MyMedi.ca medical portal is optional.
You will continue to receive notifications alerting you of the time remaining until Medical Cannabis by Shoppers services cease operations at the end of July 2023.
If you choose not to provide consent to transfer to MyMedi.ca, and do not transfer to another authorized licensed producer then your medical cannabis and authorization and registration will expire at the time of closure.
If you have questions or concerns about the transfer process to MyMedi.ca then please speak to one of our call center representatives, who will be able to help you through this process.
Can I contact the Shoppers Cannabis Care team to get support in my transfer to the new medical portal?
Yes, you can call our Shoppers Cannabis Care team at 1-844-633-2627 and an agent will be happy to assist you with your consent for transfer to MyMedi.ca or support your transfer to another provider.
Once you have given consent, you will receive a confirmation email. You can continue shopping on Medical Cannabis by Shoppers until July 31st, 2023.
What if I do not complete my orders online or have limited access to a computer?
Yes, you can call our Shoppers Cannabis Care team at 1-844-633-2627 and an agent will be happy to assist you with your consent for transfer to MyMedi.ca or support your transfer to another provider.
Do I need to get a new medical document for MyMedi.ca from my Health Care Provider?
If you are currently a registered patient and have an active medical document with Medical Cannabis by Shoppers, you would not need another medical document until its expiry.
If your medical document expires before July 31st then we recommend that you renew with your health care provider to remain with Medical Cannabis by Shoppers platform. You may consent to transfer to MyMedi.ca at the time of renewal.
If you are unsure of the current status of your medical document then you may reach out to the cannabis care team at Medical Cannabis by Shoppers to answer any of your questions.
Has my health care provider been informed of the transition?
Yes, we have informed your healthcare providers about the transfer, and they will be given specific information about the patient transfer.
Questions about Medical Cannabis by Shoppers
Will Medical Cannabis by Shoppers will continue to operate?
You will be able to continue purchasing products on Medical Cannabis by Shoppers until the end of July.
Starting May 1st and until July 31st, 2023, you will be able to provide your consent to be transferred to MyMedi.ca.
The transfer will be completed on August 1st, 2023 when MyMedi.ca goes live to ensure there’s no interruption to the supply of your orders.
Starting August 1st, 2023, you will be able to purchase products on MyMedi.ca.
When will Medical Cannabis by Shoppers cease operations?
You will be able to continue purchasing products on Medical Cannabis by Shoppers until July 31st, 2023.
Questions about Avicanna and MyMedi.ca
Who is Avicanna?
Avicanna is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the advancement and commercialization of evidence-based cannabinoid-based products for the global medical and pharmaceutical market segments. Avicanna has an established scientific platform including R&D and clinical development in collaborations with leading Canadian academic and clinical institutions that has led to the commercialization of more than thirty products across various market segments.
Avicanna is dedicated to prioritizing patient care, continue to enforce the highest ethical standards and continue to advocate for adoption of medical cannabis into the standard of care.
What is MyMedi.ca?
MyMedi.ca is a medical cannabis care platform formed through an alliance between the medical community, patients and industry to better serve patients’ needs. By combining years of research and development with the distinctive expertise in providing medical cannabis access and patient support, MyMedi.ca aims to unlock the potential of medical cannabis through an enhanced patient journey and collaboration with the medical community.
When would MyMedi.ca become operational?
Patients who have provided consent to transfer their medical documents and registration information from Medical Cannabis by Shoppers to MyMedi.ca will be transferred on August 1st, 2023.
Patients will be able to start ordering their desired products from MyMedi.ca on August 1st, 2023.
Medical Cannabis by Shoppers will continue to operate and provide patient support programs and customer service. These services will also transition to MyMedi.ca end of July 2023.
Will MyMedi.ca offer the same level of Patient Support as Medical Cannabis by Shoppers?
Yes, MyMedi.ca will transition over the experience and expertise of the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers team and continue to serve Canadian patients.
The MyMedi.ca patient support program will provide bilingual call center support including insurance re-imbursement, pharmacist led clinical advice, veterans-specific care, and general administrative support.
Will MyMedi.ca continue to provide compassionate pricing programs?
Patients who currently receive a discount under the compassionate pricing program will continue to receive a 10% discount on MyMedi.ca.
Pediatric: MyMedi.ca will offer transfer and new patients under the age of 18 discount(s) 20% MyMedi.ca and 20% from particular LP partners (who have agreed).
Seniors: If you are over the age of 65 you will receive a 15% discount on all products.
MyMedi.ca will be evaluating other potential discount programs soon.
What will the call center hours of operations be with MyMedi.ca?
The call center hours of operations will be Monday-to Friday from 9am EDT to 7pm EDT.
You will be able to request a call back if you are not able to wait to speak to a call centre representative.
Patients will also be able to reach the MyMedi.ca Cannabis Care Team at info@mymedi.ca.
Will MyMedi.ca continue to have home delivery services and free shipping?
Yes, similar to Medical Cannabis by Shoppers we will provide the same delivery options, including free shipping for orders above $99.
Will I have access to the same products on the MyMedi.ca portal?
Initially there will be no change to the product portfolio, you will find all products, at the same prices on MyMedi.ca.
MyMedi.ca will continue to work with top Canadian processors and cultivators and host several brands on the platform. This will include 200+ of the existing products on the medical cannabis by shopper’s medical portal to reduce potential disruptions in patient care.
I currently have insurance reimbursement through my insurance provider – will MyMedi.ca provide these services as well?
Yes – MyMedi.ca will continue to provide insurance adjudication and reimbursement services through approved public and private providers.
MyMedi.ca cannabis care insurance experts will be able to answer any question or concerns that you may have once you have transferred onto the MyMedi.ca.
What is going to be different about the MyMedi.ca medical portal?
MyMedi.ca will transition over the experience and expertise of Medical Cannabis by Shoppers and initially focus on continuity of care through patient support and access to products
During the second half of 2023, MyMedi.ca will look to enhance the overall patient journey with the support of various stakeholders including patients, the medical community, and brands.
Veterans
What will happen with the current Veterans program by Medical Cannabis by Shoppers?
Medical Cannabis by Shoppers and MyMedi.ca are working together to ensure that this process is as smooth as possible for you.
Medical Cannabis by Shoppers will continue to provide veterans services until the platform is decommissioned, expected at end of July 2023. Upon time of transfer, the client care team will work together with MyMedi.ca to minimize any patient care disruptions.
With your consent, your policy coverage will be moving to MyMedi.ca with your records and your coverage will remain the same.
Once the transfer is complete, MyMedi.ca will be working with clinics, healthcare providers, veterans, and veteran groups to evolve our Veterans Program and enhance the overall support for our veterans.
What is the process for patient transfer of Veterans?
Starting May 1st, you may provide your consent to have your medical document, registration and order history transferred to Avicanna’s MyMedi.ca platform. Simply to your account to access the Consent page. Click “Agree” and “Submit”.
Alternatively, you can call our Shoppers Cannabis Care team at 1-844-633-2627 and an agent will be happy to assist you with your consent for transfer to MyMedi.ca or support your transfer to another provider.
Your policy coverage will be moving with your records, and your coverage will remain the same. You can continue to order based on your 30-day prescription period without any disruption to your VAC coverage.
Will there be any disruption in my ability to order products if I consent to transfer to the MyMedi.ca medical portal?
MyMedi.ca, Medical Cannabis by Shoppers and Medavie Blue Cross have identified a transfer process that will not impact your policy coverage.
Your consent will allow for your registration, order history and records to be transferred to MyMedi.ca and does not require re-submission to Medavie Blue Cross.
Once you provide consent for transfer, your patient records will be transferred to MyMedi.ca on August 1, 2023. After that, all you need to do is enter a new username, password and security question to begin shopping on MyMedi.ca.
Real World Evidence Study
I’m participating in the Real-World Evidence study, will there be any change?
At this time, there is no impact on the status of the real-world evidence study.
You will not be required to transfer to MyMedi.ca at this time and will be informed of any changes soon.
