Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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382. To ask the Minister for Health when her Department intends to complete the review of national policy governing the use of medications issued under special licence, as recommended by the Cork city coroner in December 2024; the expected date for finalisation of new protocols on hospital administration and clinician supervision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60516/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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383. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department has directed the HSE to issue interim guidance or a temporary clinical protocol governing the administration, supervision and recording of special-licence medications in hospitals pending the completion of a full policy review; if she will publish that guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60517/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.

Regulation 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (Statutory Instrument 173/2017) provides the statutory guidelines for the administration of controlled drugs to patients and only applies to those controlled drugs with a marketing authorisation as a medicine.

Departmental officials continue to consider the matter of the administration of controlled drugs which are not medicines with a marketing authorisation and are not, at this time, in a position to indicate a timeline on the conclusion or outcome of these considerations.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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384. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients currently in receipt of medications under special licence in Ireland; the number of such patients admitted to hospital in each of the past five years; and the measures being taken to ensure their medication administration is governed by clear and consistent protocols nationwide. [60518/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 25 patients being treated by cannabis-based products prescribed under licence pursuant to section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The Department is not informed if, or why, any of the patients accessing such treatment are admitted to hospital.

The prescribing of a drug, its frequency and dosage is a matter for the prescribing clinician and the Department of Health has no role in this.

Regulation 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (Statutory Instrument 173/2017) provides the statutory guidelines for the administration of controlled drugs to patients. Departmental officials are currently reviewing the administration of such controlled drugs.