Gino Kenny criticises restrictive medical cannabis access
Gino Kenny spoke on 23 June 2022 about the State's medical cannabis access programme, arguing it is too restrictive and is forcing patients to the black market or to travel abroad. He highlighted that only 12 patients have been prescribed medical cannabis under the programme and urged a review of the eligibility criteria.
Background of the programme
In 2019 medical cannabis was recognised as a medical intervention and was underpinned by legislation by the then minister. The medical cannabis access programme commenced nine months prior to the speech, prompting initial welcome from campaigners.
Patient numbers and access problems
The Deputy pointed out that since the programme began only 12 patients have been prescribed medical cannabis under prescription. He warned that the low number of approvals is driving people to the black market, abroad, and that he receives phone calls weekly from patients affected by the restrictions.
Comparison with international practice
The Deputy contrasted the domestic model with Denmark's approach, saying the Danish medical cannabis access programme provides access to literally thousands of people. He argued the current criteria at home are not fit for purpose and should be reconsidered in the planned review.
Clinical views and prescribing authority
A respondent noted that many consulting neurologists have doubts about the clinical efficacy of cannabis for certain illnesses and emphasised that it is not for politicians to tell doctors what to prescribe. Nevertheless, the low uptake of prescriptions was described as striking.
Response and next steps
Another speaker said they would raise the issue with the minister and acknowledged they were not as up to date on the matter as they had been in the past. The Deputy urged that the forthcoming review address the restrictive criteria to improve patient access.
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Thomas, in 2019 medical cannabis was recognised as a medical intervention and that was underpinned by legislation by the then Minister Simon Harris, nine months ago the medical cannabis access programme commenced and many of us that campaigned for that programme were quite joyous, but since then only 12 patients have been prescribed medical cannabis under prescription, which is the first time under the health service. Now this is far too restrictive, people that need access have to go to the black market, some people have to go abroad, or even worse still, which I get phone calls on a weekly basis, have to go abroad. Now this programme, you know, a lot of us welcome it, but it's far too restrictive and if you look at the same model in Denmark, the medical cannabis access programme there, there's literally thousands of people have access. So, I just don't think that this programme, the criteria at the moment, is fit for purpose when the review happens this year. Thank you Deputy. Thank you Deputy. Thank you Deputy. Thanks Deputy. I'll have to speak to Minister Donnelly about that, I'm not as up to date on that issue as I would have been in the past. Certainly 12 people sounds like a very low number, but I do appreciate that a lot of consulting neurologists have doubts about the clinical efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for certain illnesses. And it's not for us to tell doctors what to prescribe and when, but it does seem like a very low number nonetheless. So, I'll definitely raise it Mr. Donnelly. Deputy. Deputy. Deputy. Deputy. Deputy. Deputy. Deputy. Deputy. Deputy.
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