A 26-year-old man from Dublin has become the first patient to receive the cannabis-based product, CannEpil, through Ireland’s Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP).
Ryan Gorman, from Clondalkin in Dublin, suffers from intractable epilepsy which is resistant to current drug treatments.
Dr Colin Doherty from St. James Hospital, a consultant neurologist became the first doctor to prescribe through the programme. He had originally expressed doubts about the programme, describing it as a ‘farce‘ that there were no suitable products available.
MCAP was introduced four years ago although this marks the first product to be prescribed under the scheme. Despite being introduced in 2019, it was only announced this year that Cannepil would be the first product available. CannEpil is a high CBD, low THC formula developed by MGC Pharmaceuticals.
There is still widespread criticism of the programme and its failure to include more conditions, in particular, chronic pain. It currently only includes nausea induced by chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Patients must have tried every alternative medication available before they are allowed to be prescribed cannabis-based products.
There have been few updates to the programme since its launch although it was added to the primary care reimbursement scheme in 2021 meaning that products are now free.
MCAP products
In a statement to Cannabis Health, the HSE stated: “The HSE has registered three patients under the MCAP in recent days. We would not be aware whether the consultant neurologist has proceeded with prescribing for an individual until claims were submitted from pharmacies at the end of the month.”
Speaking with Cannabis Health News, Gino Kenny said: “This is an important milestone in regards to families and campaigners who have been highlighting this issue for the past five years. Many of us remain very critical of the MCAP and its limitations. The first person getting access via prescription hopefully represents others that need the legal and medical access to this treatment.”
I know Brendan and Ryan very well. I’m absolutely delighted Ryan has now the chance to access this treatment legally by prescription. https://t.co/qf0K5ioGKz
— Gino Kenny TD (@Ginosocialist) November 24, 2021
MCAP access
Speaking with Cannabis Health News, Natalie O’ Regan, a drug policy specialist said:
“I am delighted to see the MCAP finally up and running and a patient get their first prescription. The road to this moment has been a long and difficult road in Ireland. This process of MCAP started in 2017, almost five years later and the first patient is finally able to benefit from the programme. Although the scheme itself is severely restrictive and needed reform before it ever left a desk, it can still make a tremendous difference.”
She added: “I have commented in the past that the MCAP is unfit for purpose, and I stand by that statement, regardless of the right or wrongs of the programme, someone has benefited from it, someone will have a better quality of life now they can access cannabis-based medication. Ryan Gorman is now the first patient to receive medication under MCAP.”
“Ryan is one of many thousands in Ireland that suffers from epilepsy and one of many whose epilepsy is treatment-resistant. With Ryan being the first I hope many others will follow suit and we can see first-hand the difference it can make to people. I hope accessing this medication will make a huge difference to Ryan’s quality of life and I wish him every success.”
MCAP failures
Earlier this month, Gino Kenny raised the issue of the lack of prescriptions in the Dáil to Taoiseach, Michael Martin. Mr Kenny has been a key campaigner in the fight to improve access to medical cannabis in Ireland.
“Many families would have been very joyous during the summer when the medical cannabis access programme was to commence. But sadly, in a PQ response today, not one patient has been given access thus far. That is a huge disappointment to those families that this treatment could make life-changing benefits,” he said.
“So what do you say to families that feel let down by the programme and now they have to look at other treatments and probably getting no treatment at all?”
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