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Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021

Tuesday, 6 July 2021

Ceisteanna (542)

Malcolm Noonan

Ceist:

542. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a product which meets his Department’s clinical guidelines on the use of medical cannabis in epilepsy can be added to the medical cannabis access programme before it launches in order to make it accessible to persons with epilepsy and their clinicians (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29923/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In the Misuse Of Drugs (Prescription And Control Of Supply Of Cannabis For Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 262/2019) a cannabis product or preparation that can be used in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme is defined as ‘specified controlled drugs’ and the definition outlines the specific requirements for those products.

A prospective supplier can apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), on behalf of the Minister, to have a product considered for inclusion in the Schedule of ‘specified controlled drugs’ in the Regulations. As specified controlled drugs will fall under schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017, a controlled drugs licence, processed by the HPRA, on behalf of the Minister, is also required for possession, supply or import of such cannabis products.

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.

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