§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will undertake a study of the comparative advantages of using buprenorphine over methadone in opioid substitution treatments. [85039]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 4 December 2002]: The Department's guidelines document—"Drug misuse and dependence—guidelines on clinical management" (1999) describes the principles required for safe and effective clinical practice. The guidelines also describe the use of buprenorphine with reference to the evidence base (including its advantages and disadvantages) both for substitution for detoxification and substitution for maintenance prescribing.
The national treatment agency for substance misuse (NTA) has a key role in considering and developing the research base for treatment and in disseminating evidence into practice. It has convened an on-going working group—the 'expert prescribing group' that meets regularly to consider treatment issues. Hence mechanisms are in place which allow the research agenda and evidence base to be kept under constant review.
Buprenorphine has a long history of use in the United Kingdom, but more recently, with increasing experience of use, as a substitute maintenance and detoxification treatment. The NTA is currently reviewing its research priorities and will continue to consider treatment issues as they develop.