Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
877. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the reason drugs manufactured by a company (details supplied) are not funded at source under the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24495/21]
View answer878. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund drugs manufactured by a company (details supplied) at source under the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24496/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 877 and 878 together.
The products to which the Deputy refers are not manufactured by the Bedrocan company but are manufactured in the Netherlands by the dispensing pharmacy . Dutch government policy does not permit the commercial export outside the Netherlands to wholesalers or pharmacists of oil-based cannabis products, however they will allow the filling of individual prescriptions form EU citizens for collection by the patient or their representative.
Owing to the Covid 19 pandemic since April 2020 the Department has organised the collection and delivery to their homes of products prescribed by Irish-registered clinicians in possession of a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act to treat their patients.
Owing to the Dutch export restrictions the manufacturers of the products referred to have not applied to the HPRA to have their products considered for inclusion in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP).
Representations were made to the Dutch authorities to facilitate the export of the products to Ireland. The Dutch authorities confirmed that the export of cannabis oils to foreign pharmacies or wholesalers is not permitted and that magistral preparations may only be provided directly to patients or their representative on the basis of a prescription.
It is a requirement for patients or their families to pay the dispensing pharmacy in the Netherlands and a reimbursement application can subsequently be made to the Primary Care Reimbursement Service in the HSE.
Officials were asked to examine the matter. I was informed that pursuant to Section 10B of the Health Act 2004 the Minister for Health shall not give a direction under section 10, or specify a priority or performance target under section 10A, as respects—
(a) any function of the Executive relating to the provision of treatment or a health or personal social service to any particular person,
(b) any function of the Executive relating to a decision concerning—
(c) whether or not a particular person is eligible for a particular health or personal social service (including the payment of a grant or allowance),
(d) the extent to which and the manner in which a person is eligible for any such service.
The HSE has indicated that commencement of the MCAP will be towards the end of June 2021.
