John Curran
Ceist:635. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if consultants must send a letter of application for each prescription for medicinal cannabis; and the time in which it takes to process same. [54410/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 15 January 2019
Ceisteanna (635)
Freagraí scríofa
Irish-based medical practitioners who wish to prescribe cannabis-based products containing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) require a Ministerial licence issued under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016 in order to do so.
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 medical consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
Ministerial licences are time limited. The initial licence is valid for a period of twelve weeks and subsequent licenses in respect of the same patient are valid for 24 weeks.
It is also important to note it is unlawful for a prescriber to issue a prescription for a controlled drug unless it complies with the requirements for controlled drugs prescriptions specified in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations.
The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Health website contains detailed information on medical cannabis, including clinical guidance on the use of medical cannabis and details on how a medical practitioner may apply for a Ministerial licence. This information can be found at:
health.gov.ie/blog/publications/cannabis-for-medical-use.