Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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638. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for paediatric neurologists here to have access to training and prescribing medicinal cannabis products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12176/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In November 2016 I initiated a review of policy on the use of cannabis for medical purposes and asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to provide expert advice on the matter. On 10th February I published the HPRA’s report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’ and announced my decision to establish an access programme for cannabis-based treatments for the following conditions:

- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions;

- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes;

- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications.

My Department is now progressing the establishment of this access programme as a priority. However, it is important to understand that patients accessing cannabis through this programme will need to be recommended for it by their medical consultant.

The next steps being taken to implement this decision are:

- The report has been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health for consideration;

- Officials from my Department and the HPRA will consult with stakeholders on how the access programme will operate.

- Department of Health officials are examining legislative changes that will be required to underpin the access programme.

Until such time as the necessary legislative amendments have been made to facilitate the implementation of the Cannabis Access Programme, it is within my power to grant a licence for access to cannabis for a named patient once the application is supported by relevant clinicians involved in the patient's care. One such application has been granted. The application process remains open and I have asked my officials to treat any and all applications with the utmost priority.