Ireland Reimburses Medical Marijuana-Based Drug For Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea And Vomiting

Althea Group Holdings Limited AGH, an Australian manufacturer of cannabis-based medicines and recreational cannabis products confirmed that Ireland’s Primary Care Reimbursement Service (‘PCRS’) has approved Althea THC20:CBD1 cannabis oil for reimbursement in Ireland. The company’s subsidiary, MyAccess Clinics, a private medical clinic specializing in medicinal cannabis, will offer consultations to patients in Ireland beginning in November. 

The news comes on the heels of Ireland’s Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use voting in favor of a new health-led approach to drugs and illegal substances.

Althea THC20:CBD1 has now been added to the PCRS in Ireland, making it free of charge for Irish patients being treated for intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy (CINV). The agreed reimbursement price for the company’s marijuana oil is €330 ($350).

“The addition of Althea THC20:CBD1 to the Primary Care Reimbursement Service in Ireland is another remarkable achievement for Althea and solidifies our position as the global leader in the sale and distribution of medicinal cannabis extracts,” stated Joshua Fegan CEO of AGH. “MyAccess Clinics has already serviced thousands of patients in the UK, and we look forward to offering an excellent service to our deserved patients in Ireland.”

MyAccess Clinics 

MyAccess Clinics’ healthcare professionals will be available to consult with Irish patients whose prescriptions can be filled electronically and medicines delivered by mail. The Irish expansion will utilize existing infrastructure and does not require any additional capital expenditure.

Jazz’ Sativex Aslo Reimbursed 

Earlier this month, MS Ireland, which is the national organization providing information, services and support to people with multiple sclerosis in Ireland confirmed there will be reimbursement for Sativex.

Under the Managed Access Program, Sativex is available for reimbursement for treating moderate-to-severe spasticity in adult MS patients who have not responded to other anti-spasticity medications.

Sativex (also known as nabiximols) was given the green light by the NHS in 2019 to treat MS-linked muscle spasms. The drug, initially developed by GW Pharmaceuticals which is now part of Jazz Pharmaceuticals JAZZ, is a mix of equal parts of the psychoactive substance Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) that helps reduce pain, inflammation and anxiety without psychoactive effects.

Reimbursement is supported on an individual basis through Ireland's Health Service Executive (HSE) - Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) online application system. High Tech prescriptions generated on the High Tech Hub (HTH) will be eligible for reimbursement. The program began Oct.1. 

See Also: Europe's High - Irish GPs Against Pot, Switzerland-Spain Share Data On Cannabis Clubs & More

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•  40.23% with $TCNNF
•  21.50% with $VFF

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Alejandro Luengo and Jose Luis Sanchez Pereyra via Unsplash