Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the alternatives to methadone available to recovering drug users in this country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31922/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the research and pilot studies carried out in this country on the use of the drug buprenorphine as an alternative to methadone; if such research has indicated the potential for abuse of the substitute drug; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31923/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.

Buprenorphine (trade name Subutex) is an alternative to methadone for the treatment of people who are opiate dependent. The National Advisory Committee on Drugs commissioned research in 2002 into the use of buprenorphine which showed that it can be as effective as methadone for the treatment of opiate addiction and that it has a better safety profile. Buprenorphine is especially suitable for particular client groups such as young people and those who wish to undergo detoxification or withdraw from a methadone maintenance programme to become opiate-free but there is some risk of diversion. Buprenorphine has been available for several years in specialist drug treatment clinics, where its prescription and dispensing are tightly controlled.

Another alternative to methadone is Buprenorphine and Naloxone combined (trade name Suboxone). Buprenorphine/Naloxone has a better safety profile than methadone and it has a lower risk of diversion than Buprenorphine only. Its use is currently confined to certain specialist drug treatment clinics but a feasibility study of the prescribing and dispensing of Buprenorphine/Naloxone in specialist drug treatment clinics and in a selected number of community settings (level II trained GPs and community pharmacies) is due to commence shortly. Following an evaluation of this study, a decision will be made on whether to extend the availability of Buprenorphine/Naloxone to the wider community.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the difference in the cost of treating a patient with methadone and treating a patient with buprenorphine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31924/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.