As the deputy is aware, it is open to a registered medical practitioner to apply for a Ministerial licence under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016. Such a licence, if granted, enables them to legally import, possess, prescribe, supply, and administer the Schedule 1 controlled drug - cannabis - for the patient named on the licence.
Licence holders can nominate a representative to collect the patients prescribed cannabis product on their behalf if, for example, the patient is not able to do this personally. At the time of applying for the Ministerial licence the applicant must provide the details of the nominated person who will be collecting the prescribed product on the patient’s behalf. That nominated person's name will then be included on the licence for this purpose. This is a matter for the patient and their prescriber.
Article 6 of the Misuse of Drugs Designation Order also provides for a pharmacist, for the purpose of his or her profession or business, to possess and supply drugs specified in Schedule 1, including cannabis, under a licence issued by the Minister for Health.
Should the pharmacist wish to procure a cannabis product from a supplier in another country, they should make contact with the relevant competent authority in that country to ensure that the product supplier and / or distributor is appropriately authorised to handle that cannabis product.
