Limerick East: The report of the Expert Group on a Protocol for the Prescribing of Methadone set out recommendations for the manner in which general practitioners should become involved in the provision of methadone maintenance programmes for drug misusers. The Irish College of General Practitioners was represented on the expert group, because of its role in training and continuing medical education for general practitioners. My Department has had regular discussions with representatives of the college on involving general practitioners in prescribing methadone in accordance with the Protocol. Arising from these discussions a pilot project, which would involve referring 100 estabilised drug misusers from drug treatment centres to general practitioners, commenced in March of this year. To date 40 such patients have been referred in this manner and the intention is to increase this number as soon as possible. It is intended also that the pilot project will be evaluated after a period of six months in operation.
In the interim, during the course of an address to the annual general meeting of the Irish College of General Practitioners, I appealed for the help of the college in encouraging general practitioners to become involved. I am glad to say that the college responded positively to my appeal and has committed itself to actively supporting my Department in its efforts. To this end further discussions are now being held with the college to identify any issues which might represent a barrier to progress with involving general practitioners in the treatment of drug misusers.
The issue is on the agenda for discussion between the Irish Medical Organisation and my Department and I understand that the Organisation proposes to await the evaluation of the pilot project before seeking to agree payments and conditions which would apply nationally.