Prescribed cannabis may be allowed into Ireland

[Sweetbudz]

The Department of Health is to examine plans to allow travellers from other EU states to bring cannabis products legally prescribed for medical use into Ireland.

Under the terms of the Schengen Agreement, which covers movement of people between member states, persons may carry narcotic or psychotropic drugs which have been legally prescribed for them for medical use.

Briefing material drawn up by the Department of Health for Minister for Health Dr James Reilly says that, while Ireland is not currently a full party to the Schengen Agreement, it intends to participate in certain of its provisions – including article 75 which relates to the carrying of legally prescribed drugs.

It says this would be “subject to a range of appropriate procedures and arrangements being implemented”.

The document says that the Department of Health has been informed by the Department of Justice that it should take the necessary measures to give effect to article 75 of the Schengen Agreement.

“The most significant issue in order to implement article 75 relates to persons travelling within the EU carrying cannabis products for medical use which have been legally prescribed in other member states,” the briefing note states.

“To give full effect to article 75, it would be necessary to put in place a legal mechanism to retain the prohibition on the importation of cannabis while permitting EU travellers to import legally-prescribed cannabis products.

“This will be examined by the Department during the current year.”

The note also states that, while a cannabis-based medicinal product – Sativex – was recently authorised in the UK and Spain as an add-on treatment for symptoms of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis, no such product has sought authorisation in Ireland as yet.

“Currently, the use of cannabis or cannabis extracts is prohibited under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, except for the purpose of research,” the document reads.

“Expert clinical advice is being sought by the Department on the use of cannabis-based medicinal products. Initial contacts indicate that the evidence base for the authorisation of cannabis-based medicinal products has not been demonstrated as yet.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2011/0412/1224294468237.html

 

[mean mr.mustard]

How does the cannabis know if it's been prescribed or not?

It seems like you're asking a little much of it...

 

[BOSCO]

So basically on one hand the government are planning on recognizing cannabis as a safe to use legitimate drug prescribed by doctors?
While on the other hand they will continue to deny residents in Ireland the right to use the same drugs?

I wonder has this anything to do with the negative media coverage they received over that ms patient that was threaten with arrest if he brought his meds over.

 

[VonBudí]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/new-plan-to-legalise-use-of-medicinal-cannabis-2842259.html

New plan to legalise use of medicinal cannabis


THE Government is considering proposals to make cannabis-based medicines available by prescription here.

The Department of Health is looking at proposals to allow medicines containing the drug to be made available in certain circumstances.

Under current law, cannabis- based medicines cannot be prescribed in Ireland, although other countries do allow them for the treatment of illnesses such as multiple sclerosis.

Junior Health Minister Roisin Shortall said she was aware of claims that cannabis could be beneficial in the treatment of some illnesses and was looking at whether it could be prescribed here.

It marks a change from the approach adopted by former health minister Mary Harney, who was reluctant to loosen the controls on the use of cannabis.

According to departmental briefing documents prepared for Health Minister James Reilly, officials were looking at plans to allow travellers from other EU states to legally bring cannabis products prescribed for medical use into Ireland.

Under the terms of the Schengen Agreement, which covers movement of people between member states, people can carry narcotic or psychotropic drugs which have been prescribed for medical use.

In reply to a parliamentary question from Labour Dublin Central TD Joe Costello, Ms Shortall went further and said medicines containing the drug could be made available here.

"I am aware claims have been made in respect of the possible health benefits of cannabis-based medicinal products for patients suffering from certain conditions such as multiple sclerosis," she said. "I am also aware (such) products may be legally prescribed in other countries.

Prescribed

"My department is 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."

A spokesman for Dr Reilly said there was nothing more to add to what Ms Shortall said.

Mr Costello said he "asked the same question of Mary Harney and she said she wasn't prepared to look at it".

He said cannabis had been proven to alleviate pain. "Ireland should avail of its properties," he said. "It is commonly used in most other European countries."

- Fiach Kelly Political Correspondent

 

[COOKIE MONSTER]

Nothing new about that plan, same tired old idea to import canna based medicine.
Sure why bother creating employment in the growing or refining of MMJ when you can just go and buy it from some multi-national pharma company.
200m budget over run for the health services this year and these jackasses in suits want to go fucking more money down the drain???

 

[VonBudí]

never know maybe they'll think a step ahead and see sativex is too expensive.

 

[Ironeek]

never know maybe they'll think a step ahead and see sativex is too expensive.

Doubt It

 

[COOKIE MONSTER]

Doubt It

Same here.
To be honest I think that the only reason the Irish Govt. is considering even looking into this avenue is because these drugs may be cheaper to procure than synthetic drugs ...they sure as hell refused to even entertain the idea in the boom times?

Wait until the next rejected imf bailout and we default...Leinster house will then look at patients growing their own meds(cost free to the government) more seriously.

 

[ninja bud]

Fuck the Government and fuck the big pharma companies. I have gotten to the point now where I just dont give a fuck.
Doctors prscribe drugs based on the amount of free pens they get off the pharma sales rep. These companies and their sales reps are just pumping out these pills and dont give a fuck so long as they keep pumping them out. The fact that the government is still paying for the patents on the drugs it buys shows how much in bed with each other they are. If the government was to buy generic drugs it would save billions a year.
I was persribed pills for depression last year and it was such a bitch to get off them. Never again, Now a spliff a day keeps the doctor away and I dont have to fork out sixty euro every time just to get a prescription off the legalized drug pedaler.