Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
1087. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the medical cannabis access programme and other medical cannabis, including international studies data, is analysed currently and since the 2017 Health Products Regulatory Authority report; the findings made by the analysis to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17220/21]
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 and is expected to commence mid-year.
A programme for appropriate data collection will be developed by the HSE who will manage the MCAP. The MCAP being a five year pilot programme will also be subject to review and that will probably include consideration of relevant national and international data.
