Monica Barnes
Ceist:30 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he proposes to take in response to the call made by the Dublin County Coroner for tighter control of methadone distribution. [2171/98]
Written Answers. - Methadone Distribution Controls.
Alan Shatter
Ceist:148 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he proposes to take in response by the call made by the Dublin County Coroner for tighter control of methadone distribution. [2340/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 148 together. I recently published the report of the methadone treatment services review group. The group's report examines the protocols for good practice in the prescribing and dispensing of methadone and recommends the appropriate controls which should be put in place to allow for the expansion of methadone treatment.
The report makes a number of specific recommendations in relation to controlling the availability of methadone as follows: regulations should be introduced under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, which would require that the prescription and supply of methadone should be restricted to official prescription forms specifically designed for that purpose; treatment for opiate misuse should be provided in the drug misuser's own local area, wherever possible; there should be limits on the number of patients attending an individual doctor or pharmacy; general practitioners and pharmacists involved in prescribing and dispensing methadone should obtain relevant training and support.
A working group has been established with membership drawn from my Department, the Irish College of General Practitioners, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Eastern Health Board to drive the implementation of this report and I am confident that its implementation will result in strict control on the prescribing of methadone in the treatment of opiate misuse.