Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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410. To ask the Minister for Health when physeptone-methadone was introduced as a treatment for opioid addiction here; the number of patients in receipt of physeptone-methadone who have since died; the number of patients in receipt of physeptone-methadone who have achieved a drug-free lifestyle; when clinical guidelines were introduced for physeptone-methadone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44181/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Methadone was introduced in Ireland during the 1970s as a standardised therapeutic approach for the treatment of those dependent on opiates and synthetic opiates. As responsibility for the provision of methadone maintenance treatment rests with the Health Service Executive, I have referred the Deputy's query to the HSE for direct reply.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.