Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1498. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of plans for the introduction of legislation regarding medicinal cannabis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33182/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, cannabis is strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016, and the Regulations and Orders made thereunder.
For the purposes of clarity, the two most common active components found in cannabis oil are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
While THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, under the Misuse of Drugs legislation products containing THC are strictly controlled and possession is unlawful except under licence. However, although CBD is derived from cannabis, since it is not psychoactive it is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, and does not require a Ministerial Licence.
Access to THC-based cannabis for Medical Use via the Ministerial Licence Route
Under existing arrangements, Irish-based medical practitioners who wish to prescribe cannabis products containing THC may apply to the Minister for Health for a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
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.
It should be noted that it will be a matter for the prescriber and their patient to source the prescribed medical cannabis-based product. It is understood that patients who have been prescribed such products have sourced it from Transvaal Pharmacy in The Hague, at the following address: Kempstraat 113, 2572 GC The Hague, Tel: 070-3469314
Medical practitioners and patients may consult the Department of Health website for detailed information on the issue of cannabis for medical use, including how a medical practitioner may apply for a Ministerial licence.
Cannabis for Medical Use Access Programme
On foot of the HPRA report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’, I announced my intention to establish a ‘Cannabis for Medical Use Access Programme’ 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. The programme will provide access to cannabis treatments for patients who are under the care of a medical consultant for certain medical conditions which have failed to respond to standard treatments.
An Expert Group has drawn up clinical guidance for healthcare professionals treating patients through the Access Programme, which includes guidance on which cannabis products are appropriate for medical use. However, the Access Programme is not yet operational, as further work is required in relation to certain elements, in particular the availability of appropriate quality-approved medical cannabis products that are affordable to patients. This is a critical aspect in establishing the access programme. The Department is working intensively on finding solutions to the supply of appropriate products for Irish patients.
Officials in the Department of Health are working on secondary legislation in the form of three Statutory Instruments, which will underpin the access programme. This work will be finalised once appropriate cannabis-based product, which will be scheduled in the legislation, becomes available to the Irish market.
