Any patient with one of the three specified conditions and under the direct supervision of an appropriately trained and experienced medical consultant will be able to apply to the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP). The specified medical conditions (medical indications) are:
- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis;
- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;
- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
The MCAP has been included in the HSE Service Plan 2021 and is a five year pilot programme for the treatment of the three specified conditions above.
The operationalisation and commencement of the MCAP is the responsibility of the HSE. The HSE will establish and maintain a Register for the Medical Cannabis Access Programme to facilitate the enrolment and recording of certain data including patient identifiers (in anonymised format), prescribers enrolled in the programme, as well as prescribed / supplied medical cannabis products.