Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:468. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the relevant programmes and routes to medicinal cannabis for children that may be considered suitable. [12166/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 June 2020
Ceisteanna (468)
Freagraí scríofa
In June 2019, I signed legislation to underpin the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP). This programme will run on a 5-year pilot basis and is restricted to prescribing of cannabis-based products at medical consultant level, for those patients with certain medical conditions who have exhausted all other available treatment options. The 3 medical conditions are:
1. spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis;
2. intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;
3. severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
To date three products have been added to Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019, which underpins the MCAP. While the MCAP is not currently operational, engagement is ongoing between the HSE and the suppliers of the three products in regard to progressing same. For more information relating to the Programme please visit the Department of Health's website.
Pending full operation of the MCAP and for medical indications not included in the MCAP, doctors may continue to utilise the Ministerial licensing route to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients, should they wish to do so.
In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes 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.
Further information on medical cannabis is available on the Department’s website.
It is important to note that the medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.