Request to reduce the time limit for the dispensing of diacetylmorphine

If a patient wants to obtain up to seven daily doses before they have been on prescribed diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment for at least six months without interruption, they require a licence to reduce the time limit for the dispensing of diacetylmorphine.

Under Art. 13 para. 3 of the Narcotics Addiction Ordinance (NarcAO; SR 812.121.6) the dispensing of up to seven daily doses of diacetylmorphine is only possible if the following conditions are met:

  1. The patient has been on diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment for at least six months without interruption.
  2. The patient's health and social situation is stable.
  3. The risk of abuse is deemed very low.

Following a justified request by the competent doctor, the FOPH can reduce the six-month period if it is difficult for the patient to get to the institution providing the treatment on a regular basis, particularly due to co-morbidity or work. .

Content of the request

For the granting of a licence to reduce the time period for the dispensing of diacetylmorphine, the following conditions must be met:

  • The patient's health and social situation must be stable;
  • The risk of abuse must be deemed very low;
  • It must be difficult for the patient to get to the institution providing treatment on a regular basis, particularly due to co-morbidity or work.

The request to reduce the time period for the dispensing of diacetylmorphine must be submitted by the attending physician on behalf of the patient.

The licence to reduce the time period for the dispensing of diacetylmorphine is free of charge (Art. 40 let. d NarcAO).

The form (PDF, 179 kB, 26.04.2023) should be sent to hegebe@hin.ch.

Further information

Diacetylmorphine-assisted (heroin-assisted) treatment

Diacetylmorphine (pharmaceutical heroin) substitution treatment is intended for individuals with a severe heroin addiction. It is administered in specialist centres.

Last modification 26.04.2023

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Contact

Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Prevention Non-communicable diseases Division
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003 Bern
Switzerland
Tel. +41 58 463 88 24
E-mail

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