David Cullinane
Question:1474. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the addition of chronic pain to the medicinal cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33527/21]
View answerTuesday, 27 July 2021
Questions (1474)
Written answers
The 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 HPRA did not consider that the available evidence supported the use of cannabis in other medical conditions.
Subsequently the Minister for Health established an Expert Reference Group to advise on the development of a Medical Cannabis Access Programme. This Group developed detailed Clinical Guidelines for the MCAP to be followed by clinicians, which contained inter alia guidance on ingredient combinations that are recommended for each of the three indications included in the MCAP
On 15th July I announced that the MCAP was now open for medical consultants to make an application for themselves and their patients to be registered for the programme. The programme will operate on a five-year pilot basis with a centralised data collection point and regular reports to the Department of Health. This information will provide data on the medical use of cannabis and the supply needs in Ireland.