MINISTER FOR Health James Reilly has said his department is examining how “cannabis-based” medicinal products can be prescribed to treat multiple sclerosis.
In response to a Dáil question tabled by Fine Gael Galway West TD Seán Kyne, Dr Reilly confirmed that his department was examining issues associated with its prescription in “controlled” conditions.
Mr Kyne said he had initially raised this issue with Dr Reilly after he had been contacted by constituents with friends and relatives who suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS).
“Some have been using cannabis for alleviating the pain associated with MS in fear and, it has to be noted, in contravention of the law as it currently stands,” Mr Kyne said.
“Clearly, careful consideration must be given before any decision to license medication derived from substances ordinarily associated with illicit drugs can be taken,” he said.
However, Mr Kyne said he believed the licensing of a medication such as the oral spray known as “Sativex” would represent a “major step forward”, as it had been “medically proven to successfully alleviate some of the more debilitating symptoms” of the condition.
Sativex is an oral spray containing ingredients called “cannabinoids” which are extracted from cannabis plants cultivated under strict controls. It is used in the treatment of MS, and trials are also taking place in relation to its impact on cancer.
British healthcare regulators licensed it last year as a prescription-only medicine for treatment of aspects of MS, as did Canada.
In his response to Mr Kyne earlier this week, Dr Reilly pointed out that, under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis-based medicinal products was unlawful, except for research purposes.
“I am aware that claims have been made in respect of the possible health benefits of cannabis-based medicinal products such as Sativex for patients suffering from certain conditions such as MS,” Dr Reilly said.
“I am also aware that cannabis-based medicinal products may be legally prescribed in other countries. However, as the law currently stands, it is not possible for cannabis-based medicinal products to be prescribed by a medical practitioner in Ireland.”
He said his department was “examining the issues associated with applying controls, similar to those that apply to other controlled drugs that can be misused, such as morphine and methadone, to cannabis-based medicinal products to permit them to be prescribed and dispensed in Ireland”.
Mr Kyne said he believed Dr Reilly was “displaying great foresight and progressive thinking” by examining the licensing of such medication.