Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the announcement cannabis-based medicinal products will be made available in Northern Ireland on the same basis as in the rest of the UK from next month.
Doctors here will be able to prescribe cannabis products to patients from November 1, the Department of Health confirmed.
“It makes sense the implementation of the expert advice from the Chief Medical Adviser to the UK Government is carried out across the UK,” said Ms Bradshaw.
“This is partly to ensure patients have a level playing field in terms of access to key treatments, and also to ensure guidance for clinicians is clear.
“In many instances, it should be noted this is not a treatment of last resort. The intention is prescription of cannabis-based medical products will proceed where their use is deemed in the interests of patients. Ongoing advice from NICE will therefore be important to develop an evidence base across the UK which will benefit patients in Northern Ireland in the long-term.”