Medical cannabis access programme
Deputy Gino Kenny asked when the medical cannabis access programme would actually begin, noting no prescriptions had yet been issued. The Minister of State said it remained limited and work was continuing, but wider availability was still some time away.
In June this year, the Minister for Health introduced a protracted medical access programme for cannabis. The Taoiseach and Members know that this followed a very lengthy process. To date, no cannabis has been prescribed. The medication is in the country but medical practitioners cannot prescribe it. People want to know when the medical cannabis access programme will commence.
Comment on this
The situation is the same as the last time I answered this question for the Deputy. The current arrangement is that a consultant prescribes it as necessary for a patient and the Minister can sign a licence. We are a long way from the position the Deputy seeks where it will be widely available. Work is continuing in the Department on it, but that situation is some time away.