Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2018
69. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the guidelines on the proposed cannabis access programme; when he envisages the programme being fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6095/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of the 2017 HPRA report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’ I announced the establishment of a cannabis for medical use access programme for patients under the care of a consultant and suffering from certain medical conditions which have failed to respond to all other previous treatments.
The Programme is intended to facilitate access to cannabis-based products that are not authorised as medicines but are of a standardised quality and meet an acceptable level of quality assurance.
An Expert Group, chaired by Dr Mairín Ryan of HIQA, was established to advise on the development of the Programme, and has recently drawn up clinical guidance for healthcare professionals treating patients through the Access Programme.
The guidelines are intended for use by healthcare professionals using cannabis-based products for the treatment of patients under their care, including consultants responsible for the initiation and management of treatment, general practitioners (GPs) responsible for the continuation and monitoring of treatment, nurses responsible for the monitoring of patients, and pharmacists that dispense cannabis-based products and advise patients.
They provide detailed guidance under the headings Aims, Context and Scope, Guidelines for Treatment, Contraindications and Precautions, Ongoing Monitoring etc.
Officials in the Department are working on legislation to underpin the Access Programme. I have requested that a Register, to facilitate the programme, be established and maintained by the HSE. In addition, there are a number of challenges around sourcing and availability of approved products which need to be worked through in a thorough and complete manner.
The work is well advanced but is of a complex nature, and will take some further time to complete.
