Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: 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. [13891/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The medication mentioned by the Deputy is a cannabis-based medicinal product. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis-based medicinal products is unlawful except for the purposes of research. I am aware that claims have been made in respect of the possible health benefits of cannabis-based medicinal products 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, it is not possible for cannabis-based medicinal products to be authorised for medicinal use or for prescription by a medical practitioner in Ireland.

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 mentioned nor any other cannabis-based medicinal product is currently authorised in Ireland and consequently the efficacy, safety and quality of such products have not, as yet, been demonstrated.