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L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Open general licence to enable the importation, prescription, supply and possession of Sativex.

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

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A decision made (15/09/2008) regarding: Open general licence to enable the importation, prescription, supply and possession of Sativex.

Decision Reference:

Decision Summary Title :

Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 – Open General Licence Authorising the Prescription, Importation, Supply and Possession of Sativex

Date of Decision Summary:

10th September 2008

Decision Summary Author:

Paul McCabe – Chief Pharmacist

Decision Summary:

Public or Exempt?

(State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

Public

Type of Report:

Oral or Written?

Written

Person Giving

Oral Report:

 

Written Report

Title :

Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 – Open General Licence Authorising the Prescription, Importation, Supply and Possession of Sativex

Date of Written Report:

10th September 2008

Written Report Author:

Paul McCabe – Chief Pharmacist

Written Report :

Public or Exempt?

(State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

Public

Subject:

Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 – Open General Licence Authorising the Prescription, Importation, Supply and Possession of Sativex

Decision(s):

The Minister issued an open general licence to enable the importation, prescription, supply and possession of Sativex

Reason(s) for Decision:

Requests have been received from two doctors for permission to prescribe Sativex privately on a named patient basis. The prescription, importation, supply and possession of Sativex is unlawful unless in accordance with a licence.

Resource Implications:

None

Action required:

The Minister to issue a licence to enable the importation, prescription, supply and possession of Sativex and the Chief Pharmacist to notify doctors and pharmacists accordingly.

Signature: 

Position: 

Date Signed: 

Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed): 

Open general licence to enable the importation, prescription, supply and possession of Sativex.

STATES OF JERSEY  

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT  

Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978  

Open General Licence Authorising the Prescription, Importation, Supply and Possession of Sativex  
 

  1. Background

 

Requests have been received from two doctors for permission to prescribe Sativex privately on a named patient basis. 

Sativex is an unlicensed cannabis based medicine containing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) formulated into an oromucosal spray. It has been used to manage pain in a number of medical conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and cancer. 

Because Sativex contains THC and CBD it is subject to the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978. Sativex is classified in Schedule 1 to the Misuse of Drugs (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 1989 and is also subject to the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (Jersey) Order 1989. As a consequence the importation, prescription, supply and possession of Sativex is unlawful unless in accordance with a licence issued by the Minister for Health and Social Services. 

The United Kingdom Home Office issued an Open General Licence on 3rd January 2006 to allow for the prescription, supply and possession of Sativex in the UK. 
 

  1. Proposal

 

It is proposed that an Open General Licence be issued in accordance with Articles 4(2)(b) and 26 of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 to provide that the following activities in relation to Sativex are not unlawful. The activities in question are the importation, possession and supply by a pharmacist; prescription by a doctor; and possession by a patient who is prescribed Sativex. 
 

  1. Recommendation

 

The Minister is requested to consider and approve the above proposal and consequently issue an Open General Licence as detailed in the Annex to this report, to come into effect on 1st October 2008. 
 

Paul McCabe

Chief Pharmacist

10th September 2008 
 
 
 
 

ANNEX

 
 

MISUSE OF DRUGS (JERSEY) LAW 1978 

OPEN GENERAL LICENCE TO IMPORT, POSSESS, PRESCRIBE AND SUPPLY SATIVEX ON A NAMED PATIENT BASIS 
 

In pursuance of Articles 4(2)(b) and 26 of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978, the Minister for Health and Social Services hereby grants to doctors, pharmacists and patients, a licence to enable; 
 

  1. Doctors to prescribe Sativex

 

  1. Pharmacists to import, possess and supply Sativex

 

  1. Patients, who have been prescribed Sativex on a named patient basis, to possess Sativex.

 

This licence is effective from 1st October 2008 and will remain valid until or unless revoked.

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