Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
420. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the medical cannabis compassionate programme; the timeframe for this programme to become more widely used by medical professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42250/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in March 2017, on foot of the conclusions from the Health Products Regulatory Authority's report, "Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review", I established an Expert Reference Group to advise on the development of a Cannabis for Medical Use Access Programme.
The Expert Group is chaired by Dr. Mairín Ryan, Director of Health Technology Assessment at the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, and comprises representation from the areas of oncology, palliative care, anaesthesiology, general practice, adult neurology, paediatric neurology, multiple sclerosis, psychiatry, pharmacy, patients, and ethics as well as representatives from HIQA, the HPRA, the National Medicines Information Centre and the Department of Health.
The Expert Group is tasked with the development of clinical guidance for healthcare professionals treating patients through the Access Programme. A critical requirement for the successful establishment of an Access Programme is meaningful engagement with representative bodies, clinicians, patients, and pharmacists so that these groups are integral to the drafting of operational clinical guidance. The Expert Group conducted a targeted consultation on the draft guidance and is due to finalise this guide shortly. The Expert Group are also considering other operational aspects for the implementation of the Access Programme.
Officials in my Department are working on secondary legislation to underpin the programme and on the logistics of sourcing suitable cannabis-based product supplies for the Irish market place. This work will take a number of months to complete.
Pending implementation of the Cannabis Access Programme, and for medical conditions that are not included in the Cannabis Access Programme, under existing legislation it is open to me as Minister to consider granting a licence to an Irish registered medical practitioner, under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, for access to medical cannabis for named patients. The Chief Medical Officer has advised that the granting of such a licence must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
Ultimately it is the decision of the clinician, in consultation with their patient, to prescribe or not prescribe a particular treatment for a patient under their care. As Minister for Health, I have no role in this clinical decision-making process.
Where a consultant requires information or clarification in relation to the licence application process, he or she should contact my Department directly.
