Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1843. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will review the qualifying conditions under the medical cannabis access programme; if there is evidence to include chronic pain as a qualifying condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15640/21]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority’s “Cannabis for Medical Review Use – A Scientific Review” advised that treatment with cannabis is only permitted under a controlled access programme for the treatment of patients with;
a. Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions whilst under expert medical supervision;
b. Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes whilst under expert medical supervision;
c. Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications whilst under expert medical supervision.
The programme, included in the HSE Service Plan for 2021, will operate on a five year pilot basis.
