Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I stated earlier, the Department is currently establishing a clinical review group to review the publication to make recommendations to the Minister for Health. In response to an oral parliamentary question last week, he stated that he would be open to any expansion, if recommended, but that he would be entirely led by the clinicians in the group.

The Deputy spoke about a specific case in the context of the ministerial licence. To ascertain which patients are eligible to have their products funded, the PCRS would review whether the person met the clinical criteria and if so, advise that the patient could be supported for reimbursement. In situations where the HSE considered reimbursement support appropriate for patients accessing cannabis product from the Netherlands, a number of steps were taken. First, the patient’s consultant was satisfied that all therapeutic options were exhausted and was prepared to accept the responsibility of monitoring the patient’s response to the cannabis product. A prescriber, namely the person authorising the supply for a patient to a person entitled to dispense, applied to the Minister for a ministerial licence and a copy of the licence was enclosed with the application. The consultant completed an individual reimbursement form such that the therapeutic benefit for the patient is described. Only applications that were in line with the clinical guidance on cannabis for medical use that is published on the Department of Health website were considered. The three indications set out in the guidelines are: spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis; intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy; and severe, refractory epilepsy. Anything outside of these indications is not supported for reimbursement.

If the Wynne sends on the details of the particular case she mentioned to the Minister's office, I am sure his officials will look at it for her.

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