BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tilray, a global pioneer in medical cannabis research, production and distribution, has become the first Canadian licensed producer to legally import full-spectrum medical cannabis extract products into Germany for nationwide distribution through pharmacies.
Starting next week, Tilray’s full-spectrum cannabis extracts will be available in German pharmacies nationwide through partnerships with leading German pharmaceutical wholesaler NOWEDA and service provider Paesel + Lorei.
“As the world’s second largest pharmaceutical market with a population of more than 80 million people, Germany is an important market for Tilray products,” said Brendan Kennedy, Tilray CEO. “This is another strategic milestone for our company as we aim to increase access to medical cannabis around the world. We are proud to be the first supplier to offer full-spectrum extracts to German patients throughout the country.”
Tilray products available in Germany will include two varieties of cannabis oil containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both products are full-spectrum extracts, which mean they contain additional active cannabinoids and terpenes in addition to THC and CBD. As the first full-spectrum medical cannabis extracts available in Germany, Tilray products are an important addition to Germany’s pharmaceutical market for medical cannabis products. Unlike dried cannabis flower, extracts are consumed orally without smoking or vaporizing.
Tilray’s import follows unanimous passage of the “Cannabis Act” by German lawmakers in March 2017. The new law permits medical cannabis for therapeutic purposes in treating conditions such as chronic pain, tumor pain, and multiple sclerosis, as well as the side effects of chemotherapy. To ensure access to treatment, patients with serious disorders may apply to have medical cannabis covered by their insurance provider.
Close cooperation with experienced partners
Tilray’s expansion into the German market resulted from close collaboration with respected companies that have long histories operating in the country’s pharmaceutical industry. To distribute its products nationwide, Tilray has partnered with pharmaceutical wholesaler NOWEDA and service provider Paesel + Lorei.
Headquartered in Essen with 21 branches throughout Germany, NOWEDA is owned by a cooperative of more than 9,000 pharmacists. With more than €6 billion in annual revenue, NOWEDA is one of the largest pharmaceutical wholesalers in Germany. NOWEDA supplies pharmacies nationwide with an assortment of approximately 160,000 medicines and pharmacy goods.
Headquartered in Rheinberg, Paesel + Lorei has been operating in the pharmaceutical industry since 1961 as a wholesaler, distributor, and logistics provider. Paesel + Lorei has extensive experience importing, warehousing and transporting narcotics securely across Germany.
Advancing clinical knowledge
Tilray is committed to advancing scientific knowledge of medical cannabis through collaboration with world-leading researchers around the globe, including in Germany. Speaking at events in Berlin and Dusseldorf, Tilray CEO Brendan Kennedy announced that the company is actively searching for research partners in Germany. “Our goal is to make Germany a global centre of excellence for cannabinoid research,” said Kennedy.
Currently, Tilray supplies clinical trials on two continents. In Canada, Tilray supplies trials at Toronto SickKids Hospital (pediatric epilepsy), the University of British Columbia (post-traumatic stress disorder), and McGill University Health Centre (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In Australia, Tilray has partnered with the University of Sydney and New South Wales Government to study medical cannabis and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
About Tilray
Tilray is a global pioneer in the research and production of medical cannabis and cannabinoids. Tilray currently serves tens of thousands of patients, physicians, pharmacies, governments, hospitals, and researchers in seven countries spanning four continents through its affiliated entities in Australia and New Zealand (Tilray Australia New Zealand Pty Ltd), Canada (Tilray Canada Ltd), Germany (Tilray Deutschland GmbH), and Portugal (Tilray Portugal Unipessoal Lda).
