lifesciencelaw.ch

 

More flexible dispensing rules for heroin-assisted treatment

17. June 2022 – Heroin-assisted treatment has been used in Switzerland since 1994 and has a high level of acceptance among patients and the general public. To ensure that treatment continues to meet the needs of patients in the best possible way in the future, the legal framework is to be adapted. At its meeting on 10 June 2022, the Federal Council decided to submit a draft amendment to the ordinance for consultation. It shall now be possible to delegate the distribution of heroin (diacetylmorphine) to suitable external facilities. These can be nursing homes, hospitals, prisons or pharmacies. However, the prescription of heroin remains the responsibility of the treatment centres and the responsible doctors.

For more information, see here.