Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 April 2021
109. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason none of the four products currently recommended for use in the medical cannabis access programme meet the criteria of less than 2% THC for use in the treatment of resistant epilepsy established in the clinical guidance on cannabis for medical use of his Department; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22375/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCannabis products that can be used in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme are defined as ‘specified controlled drugs’ in legislation and the definition outlines the specific requirements for those products.
Only products included in the schedule of specified controlled drugs can be prescribed by medical consultants under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme.
The criteria cannabis products must meet in order to be considered by the Minister for inclusion on the schedule are set out in the legislation and can be found in the operator guidance issued by the HPRA
Details on how to apply for a licence to possess, supply or import medical cannabis products for use under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme in accordance with the requirements for schedule 2 products in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 can be found in the operator guidance issued by the HPRA.
It is open to any supplier or producer to apply to the HPRA to have their products assessed for inclusion in the programme.
