Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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215. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 577 of 7 March 2023, when the evidence-based synthesis will be completed by the Health Research Board; if he will provide a timeline of the expected conclusion of work; when the clinical review group will evaluate that evidence to then make an assessment on whether there is evidence to support the recommendation of the addition of any other clinical indications to the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15783/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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An evidence-based synthesis is being carried out by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. This work is expected to be completed by May/June this year. A clinical review group will then be established to complete an assessment of the Health Research Board report to see if there is evidence to support the recommendation of any other clinical indications to the Medical Cannabis Access Programme.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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216. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 578 of 7 March 2023, if he will accept that Ireland now has the most restrictive regime in the EU27 in place, with respect to the medical cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15784/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The three conditions currently being treated under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme were based on the recommendations of the 2017 Health Products Regulatory Authority publication "Cannabis for Medical Use - A Scientific Review". The report stated that if cannabis-based products, that are not authorised as medicines, are made available through an access programme, patients and healthcare professionals must recognise the limitations of the programme in assuring the safety, quality and effectiveness, as compared with what would be expected from an authorised medicine. The report also advised that a programme should recognise patient need but be evidence-based.

As recommended by the report, the Medical Cannabis Access Programme restricts the prescribing of cannabis-based products by medical consultants, for patients suffering one of three stated conditions who have exhausted all other available medical treatment options. Those conditions are:

- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis;

- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;

- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.

A review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme commenced in 2022. The review continues the work of the previous clinical expert group. Once the evidence-based synthesis is completed, expected by mid-year, a clinical review group will be established to complete an assessment to see if there is evidence to support the recommendation of the inclusion any other clinical indications to the Medical Cannabis Access Programme.