Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
910. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the action he will take regarding insurance companies refusing to provide cover for neurological paediatricians prescribing medicinal cannabis; the way he will deal with this matter in new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13615/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not received any reports from hospital consultants regarding insurance companies refusing to provide cover for neurological paediatricians prescribing medicinal cannabis.
Under existing arrangements consultants in public hospitals are covered by the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) in respect of the prescription of THC-based medicines for a patient under their care provided that the consultant is permitted to do so under a licence granted by the Minister for Health under the Misuse of Drugs Acts and where he/she has exhausted all other treatment options for that patient.
In relation to private consultants the CIS covers the excess over the indemnity ceilings (or Caps) set by the State for private indemnifiers of consultants working in private practice settings. Effectively, the private indemnifier’s liability in respect of any claim is capped at the relevant indemnity ceiling and the State assumes responsibility for any amount in excess of the cap. Consultants in private hospitals should check with their Medical Defence Organisations to establish that such organisations will cover them up to the Caps limit in cases where they are considering prescribing THC-based medicines for a patient, under licence from the Minister and where he/she has exhausted all other treatment options for that patient.
