News

MRCG and IPPOSI release consensus paper on the issue of access to mediciations in Ireland

What is this MS ‘Fatigue’ people talk about and why does it get the blame for so much? This week from the MS & Me archives Emma Rogan takes a closer look at its affects, what remedies are available and how she manages her daily visitor 

Final report of My MS My Needs survey now available.

Revised and updated - August 2017

New treatment option for relapsing remitting MS

How do you make your decisions? We all know how being better informed means better decision-making but we don't always get the information we need. This week from the MS & Me archive series Joan Jordan talks about the importance of being well informed about MS drug treatments and medications.

This week from the MS & Me archives series Aoife Kirwan looks at life before her MS diagnosis.

Dublin Neurological Institute are running a free course for carers of people with neurological conditions in September. 

This week from the MS & Me archives series Willeke Van Eeckhoutte discusses people waiting, wondering, dreading, hoping from the Neurology waiting room.

Expert Reference Group developing clinical guidelines for the access programme

In February, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) released a report which recommended the establishment of an access programme for medicinal cannabis products for certain named conditions including spasticity associated with MS. MS Ireland cautiously welcomed the HPRA report, whilst still expressing concern that the efficacy, safety and quality of non-pharmaceutical products cannot be guaranteed. MS Ireland nonetheless recognises that many people with MS will welcome the opportunity to be able to legally access such products through the access programme, when it is established.

Since February, work has been ongoing to establish the programme. The Department of Health convened an Expert Reference Group, comprising of representation from the areas of Oncology, Palliative care, Anaesthesiology, General Practice, Adult Neurology, Paediatric Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, Psychiatry, Pharmacy, Patients, Ethics, Health Technology Assessment and the Health Products Regulator. 

The Expert Reference Group have been working on draft clinical guidance for the cannabis access programme. MS Ireland were invited to provide feedback on these guidelines. A summary of our response is below. MS Ireland will keep all our stakeholders updated on any further developments regarding the access programme. 

Read the summary of our response here