Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:1420. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the current state of play with the MCAP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37161/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (1420)
Written answers
The MCAP Scheme commenced in late 2021 and is operated by the HSE. The MCAP provides patients and clinicians legal access to unauthorised cannabis-based products for the treatment of three stated conditons:
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.
Currently 47 patients are being treated under the MCAP.
The programme is currently subject to an evidence synthesis which will be followed by a clinical review to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to expand the programme to include other conditions, the results of which are expected by the end of the year.