Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The legislative basis for the MCAP is Statutory Instrument 262/2019, Misuse Of Drugs (Prescription And Control Of Supply Of Cannabis For Medical Use) Regulations 2019.

Schedule 2 of the Regulations sets out the three specified therapeutic indications that may be treated under the programme, namely,

1. Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions.

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

3. Severe, refractory epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications.

Schedule 1 of the Regulations sets out the cannabis-based products that may be prescribed in the programme.

The application must be for one of the stated conditions within the legislation and for the prescribing of one of the approved products. Conditions outside of those in legislation are not approved.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Statutory Instrument No. 262/2019 - Misuse Of Drugs (Prescription And Control Of Supply Of Cannabis For Medical Use) Regulations 2019 is the legislative basis for the MCAP. The purpose of these Regulations is to allow certain cannabis products or preparations for medical use to be prescribed and supplied under certain circumstances for the treatment of persons with certain medical conditions under the care of a medical consultant.

In the Regulations “medical consultant” means a registered medical practitioner who—

(a) is registered on the Specialist Division of the register of medical practitioners established and maintained by the Medical Council under section 43 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (No. 25 of 2007), and

(b) by reason of his or her training, skill and experience in a medical specialty recognised by the Medical Council under section 89(1) of that Act related to a specified therapeutic indication, is consulted by other registered medical practitioners and has a continuing clinical and professional responsibility for that aspect of the patient’s care on which he or she has been consulted.

The Minister for Health is not responsible for consultant training in any speciality.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The current review consists of an evidence gathering, evidence synthesis and finally a clinical review to determine if evidence exists to expand the scope of the programme. In the circumstances it is appropriate to wait for the findings of the clinical review group before any decisions whether to expand or not are made.