Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a medication (details supplied) is not available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13610/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Currently cannabis and cannabis based medicinal products such as Sativex are Schedule 1 controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and as such their manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession is unlawful except for the purposes of research.

Sativex has been authorised in the United Kingdom as an add-on treatment in Multiple Sclerosis. It has not been authorised for use in patients suffering from cancer. I am aware that claims have been made in respect of the possible health benefits of cannabis based medicinal products such as Sativex for patients suffering from certain conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis. I am also aware that cannabis based medicinal products may be legally prescribed in other countries. However, as the law currently stands, the importation of these products to Ireland, even if legally obtained in another EU Member State, is prohibited. It is not possible for cannabis based medicinal products to be authorised for medicinal use or for prescription by a medical practitioner in Ireland.

As cannabis is the drug which is most abused in Ireland, I am reluctant to loosen the controls on its use. However, my Department is examining the issues associated with applying controls, similar to those that apply to other controlled drugs that can be misused, such as morphine and methadone, to cannabis-based medicinal products. Neither the product Sativex nor any other cannabis-based medicinal product are currently authorised as medicines in Ireland and consequently the efficacy, safety and quality of such products have not, as yet, been demonstrated.