An Leas-Chathaoirleach: The purpose of the meeting is to discuss consideration of access to community neurological rehabilitation teams. To assist the committee with this I am pleased to welcome from the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, NAI, Ms Magdalen Rogers, executive director, Dr. Susan Coote, associate professor, University of Limerick, and Dr. Niall Pender, principal clinical neuropsychologist in Beaumont Hospital and associate professor at the school of medicine in Trinity College Dublin...

...Deputy Gino Kenny: My final question is on the medical cannabis access programme. The programme was instigated four years ago and about 47 people have got a prescription under it to date. I understand the vast majority of the prescriptions are related to spasticity owing to multiple sclerosis. Sativex is now being reimbursed, which is good because people trying to get it heretofore had to go to the North, where it was quite expensive. In Denmark, for example, the medical cannabis access programme covers many neurological conditions for which cannabis can be very beneficial. Our access programme is very restrictive. There is an ongoing review that I hope will result in the expansion of the programme to cover other conditions, particularly those associated with chronic pain and neurological conditions. I would like the delegates' thoughts on that. 

Dr. Susan Coote: I have a briefing note on that in front of me. We are delighted to see that Sativex has been recommended for reimbursement through a managed-access programme. It is a start, as the Deputy implied, and it could be rolled out further. The primary purpose of the drug is to treat moderate to severe spasticity, or stiffness in the limbs, caused by multiple sclerosis. We are delighted to see the drug included. It is the start of greater access to the drug. There is very good evidence that it is beneficial in treating the symptoms of a range of conditions. 

Ms Magdalen Rogers: We would certainly encourage the review. Feedback from member organisations indicates they certainly feel more could be done with the managed access programme for conditions such as epilepsy and chronic pain. We certainly encourage the timely review. 

Deputy Gino Kenny: I understand the review is happening and that recommendations will be made to the Department of Health very soon. I hope people will be able to gain access to the drug. Some people with neurological conditions have to go to the black market, some have to go abroad, and, worse still, some have to go without. It is not acceptable that people are denied a drug with medical benefits. They should not have to go to the black market for it. I hope that, after the review, people will be able to gain access to it legally rather than illegally….