Services Database Supervised Consumption of Methadone/Buprenorphine (North Tyneside Area)

Pharmacies that have been accepted on the scheme will supervise the consumption of methadone or buprenorphine as directed by an NHS prescription.

The overall aim of the services are;

• to assist the service user to remain healthy, reduce drug-related harm, provide service users with regular contact with a healthcare professional and help them access further advice or assistance;
• to provide dispensing services that aim to ensure compliance with the agreed treatment plan, improve retention in drug treatment by providing instalment dispensing and ensuring each supervised dose is correctly administered to the patient for whom it was intended;
• to contribute to the shared care of the patient by liaising with the clinician directly involved in the care of the patient;
• reduce the risk to local communities of diversion of prescribed medicines onto the illicit drugs market;
• to offer professional, non judgemental, confidential and patient centred services;
• to facilitate access to primary care if relevant;
• to support patients to successfully complete drug treatment and overcome dependency; and
• to encourage the uptake of vaccines and testing for blood borne virus.

All pharmacists within the supervised consumption scheme should have completed the substance misuse and opiate treatment: supporting pharmacists for improved patient care by the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE).