Stephen Donnelly
Question:39. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when a cannabis for medicinal use access programme will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28316/18]
View answerThursday, 28 June 2018
Questions (39)
Written answers
On foot of the HPRA report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’, I announced my intention to establish a ‘Cannabis for Medical Use Access Programme’ to facilitate access to cannabis-based products, that are not authorised as medicines but are of a standardised quality and meet an acceptable level of quality assurance. The programme will provide access to cannabis treatments for patients who are under the care of a medical consultant, for certain medical conditions which have failed to respond to standard treatments.
An Expert Group has drawn up clinical guidance for healthcare professionals treating patients through the Access Programme, which includes guidance on which cannabis products are appropriate for medical use.
The Access Programme is not yet operational, as further work is required in relation to certain elements, in particular the availability of appropriate quality-approved medical cannabis products that are affordable to patients. This is a critical aspect in establishing the access programme. The Department is working intensively on finding solutions to the supply of appropriate products for Irish patients.
In the meantime, prescribing of cannabis for medical treatment by medical consultants, for their individual patients is being facilitated via the Ministerial licence application route.