Question reference: S5W-00654
- Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 9 June 2016
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Current status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 21 June 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much the methadone programme has cost (a) in total and (b) each year since 2011-12, broken down by NHS board.
Answer
Scotland does not have a methadone programme. Substitute prescribing, including methadone, is one component in a package of care, treatment and recovery that can be offered to individuals to help them recover from drug addiction. Decisions on the type of treatment to prescribe are for clinicians, in discussion with their clients.
The specific costs relating to the prescribing of methadone, including ingredient costs and supervision costs, broken down by NHS board and covering the requested years, are published regularly on the ScotPHO website and can be accessed here: http://www.scotpho.org/downloads/drugs/Drugs-prescribing-2014-2015.xls%20, table three provides the specific information requested.