384. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently in receipt of medications under special licence in Ireland; the number of such patients admitted to hospital in each of the past five years; and the measures being taken to ensure their medication administration is governed by clear and consistent protocols nationwide. [60518/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: There are currently 25 patients being treated by cannabis-based products prescribed under licence pursuant to section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The Department is not informed if, or why, any of the patients accessing such treatment are admitted to hospital.

The prescribing of a drug, its frequency and dosage is a matter for the prescribing clinician and the Department of Health has no role in this.

Regulation 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (Statutory Instrument 173/2017) provides the statutory guidelines for the administration of controlled drugs to patients. Departmental officials are currently reviewing the administration of such controlled drugs.