JUNIOR HEALTH MINISTER Alex White has confirmed that he will sign off on the introduction of Savitex, a medicinal marijuana product, within days.

White said that he remains “hopeful” about signing the legislation tomorrow, but noted that it may be delayed until early next week.

The junior minister made the comments during an Oireachtas Health Committee meeting this morning.

On Monday, the Health Products Regulatory Authority CEO Pat O’Mahony said that sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) would soon be able to avail of the drug, once they get a prescription from their GP.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Seán O’Rouke, O’Mahony said:

This product is prescribed and dispensed for people with Multiple Sclerosis and it is very, very helpful for that cohort of patients for the muscle spasms that they suffer, which are a big complication of that condition.

Last month, White told TheJournal.ie that while he does not think Ireland is in a position to fully legalise cannabis, he keeps “a very close eye” on what’s happening internationally.

Additional reporting by Sinéad O’Carroll and Hugh O’Connell

Read: Medicinal cannabis will soon be legal and available for MS patients

Watch: Minister: I keep an eye on cannabis legalisation in other countries (And yes, I’ve tried it)