Experiences with take-home dosing in heroin-assisted treatment in Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic – is an update of legal restrictions warranted?

Original research
by
Meyer, Maximilian

Release Date

2021

Geography

Switzerland

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Swiss Federal Council provisionally adapted its policy, allowing for longer prescriptions of take-home diacetylmorphine. Before the beginning of the pandemic, take-home doses only occurred in exceptional circumstances and under strict criteria for patient eligibility.

Findings/Key points

While some patients wished to return to their previous treatment regimen, most patients managed their medication well and showed good adherence. We also noticed an increase of treatment admissions that are likely related to the relaxed regulations. Previously, the strict therapeutic framework of visiting a HAT centre twice a day for supervised dispensing seemed to have discouraged these individuals from seeking medical treatment. From a medical point of view, the politically driven restrictions on take-home doses in heroin-assisted treatment are questionable and do not support the goal of harm reduction.

Design/methods

An additional 45 patients received take-home doses following the first lockdown.

Keywords

Evidence base
Policy/Regulatory
Safer supply
About prescribers
About PWUD
Barriers and enablers
Carries/take-home doses