Medical Cannabis access programme ‘a positive step’ but scheme needs to be ‘broadened’ says local TD

The first medicinal cannabis product provided through the HSE is set to be available to patients from next month.

The HSE say CannEpil, a cannabidiol (CBD) based medication, will be made available during October as part of its Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP).

Following a meeting of the Health Committee today, People Before Profit TD and health spokesperson, Gino Kenny, has said that while the commencement of the medical cannabis access programme in the next two weeks is a positive step, the scheme must be ‘broadened out’ to include a wider cohort of people.

Deputy Kenny said that many people who could benefit from this treatment, especially chronic pain sufferers, need to be brought into the scheme so they can access medical cannabis with a prescription.

“Today is a positive day for the campaign for access to medical cannabis,” he said.

“However, whilst the announcement that in two weeks people with certain conditions will be able to access the treatment via prescription is good, it is too limited and excludes many people who could seriously benefit from this treatment- such as people suffering with chronic pain.

“What I would like to see if for the scope of the scheme to broadened out so that it takes into account those cohorts of people currently excluded from the programme.”