Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 5

Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

208 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the changes, if any, he has made in the treatment of drug addicts since July 1997; if methadone is still the preferred substance prescribed for drug addicts; and if he proposes to make changes in the use of methadone for treatment of drug addicts. [10731/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Treatment of drug addicts continues to be a top priority within the health services and in the Eastern Health Board where the drug problem is most acute services continue to be enhanced and expanded. A review group was set up in 1997 to advise on the approaches to be taken in the future in relation to the management and care of heroin dependent drug misusers. The report, which was presented to me last year, was circulated nationwide to each general practitioner and pharmacist in January of this year, and outlines continued best practice in the treatment of opiate misuse.

The report's recommendations include the following:- methadone treatment continues to be a valid treatment for opiate dependent persons; the continuation of the central treatment list of patients being prescribed methadone. Under this arrangement a general practitioner who is considering prescribing methadone for a patient can check whether the patient's name is on this treatment list and so minimise the possibility that the patient concerned is receiving methadone from more than one source; a personalised treatment card for each patient to be held by a local pharmacist who holds it for the duration of treatment; support to GPs and pharmacists through the appointment of GP facilitators including close liaison and communication arrangements with health board services in the event of a patient destabilising; contractual arrangements with GPs, pharmacists, etc.; the provision for supervised administration of methadone in cases where a general practitioner feels the need for this; the introduction of regulations to require that the prescription and supply of methadone be restricted to official prescription forms specifically designed for the purpose; specific training and information for GPs and pharmacists on the treatment of opiate dependent persons; and methadone monitoring to be placed on a statutory basis by regulation under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Since last year, a committee, comprised of representatives from the Eastern Health Board, the Irish College of General Practitioners, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the General Medical Services (Payments) Board and the Department of Health and Children has been working on implementing the recommendations contained in the report. The committee meets on a regular basis to work on the arrangements to allow for the smooth implementation of all of the recommendations. Most of the ground work has now been put in place and full implementation of the recommendations is expected during the summer. This full implementation of the report's recommendations will make changes to the present system, as it will result in tighter control and monitoring of all those involved in prescribing and dispensing of methadone.