In what may be the first foray by Big Pharma into the sale of medical marijuana products, Novartis has struck a deal with a Canadian company that sells medical cannabis products not only in its home country but also in Europe.

Nanaimo, British Columbia-based Tilray announced today that it has a binding agreement with Sandoz Canada to be its exclusive supplier of “non-smokable/non-combustible medical cannabis products.”

While Canadian law only allows companies to mail their products directly to patients, the company said that “subject to future regulatory changes,” Sandoz Canada will wholesale and distribute the products to Canadian hospitals and pharmacies. It also calls for the Swiss company to use its expertise to educate pharmacists about the products and to help Tilray develop new products and dose forms.

SOURCE: FiercePharma