Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018
371. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the cost of prescribed medicinal cannabis for a person (details supplied) with multiple sclerosis will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48981/18]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Sativex is not currently reimbursed in the community drug schemes. The HSE received a new application for the reimbursement of Sativex in February 2018. A rapid review by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics was completed on 3 April 2018 and a full pharmacoeconomic assessment was recommended to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of Sativex compared with the current standard of care. The HSE commissioned a full pharmacoeconomic assessment on 20 April 2018.
Medical practitioners and patients are encouraged to consult the Department of Health website for information on cannabis-based products and authorised cannabis-based medicines, including clinical guidance on the use of cannabis-based products. This information can be found at the following website: health.gov.ie/blog/publications/cannabis-for-medical-use/.
