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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2001, 03, 1 (pages: 29 - 34)

Methadone regulations in USA: Comments, proposal to adopt new regulations and proposed rule

Newman R. G.

Summary: The current regulatory process governing methadone treatment of addiction is associated with one problem that overshadows all others: it effectively limits the prescribing of methadone to “programmes” that, collectively, can accommodate no more than 15-20% of all who need and could benefit from this medication. As a consequence, lives are lost (literally as well as figuratively), and there are staggering costs to the general community. The proposed new Rule does nothing about this problem. To the contrary: it exacerbates it, and by implicitly endorsing the status quo reduces the prospects for future change. In addition to raising further the barriers to expanding methadone availability, the Rule would complicate rather than streamline the bureaucratic process that governs treatment, do nothing to enhance quality of care of the lucky few who do gain access to methadone, and raise costs for Government, providers and patients.