Opioid Substitution Therapy in Portugal 2011

"A survey made each year on the 31st of December 2011 allows differentiation in terms of substances involved in this type of treatment.
"On that date, 21,236 clients were registered in the outpatient public treatment network substitution programs, representing a decrease in relation to 2010.
"From those 78% (77% in 2010, 76% in 2009, 75% in 2008 and 74% in 2007) were registered in methadone programs and 22% (23% in 2010, 24% in 2009, 25% in 2008 and 26% in 2007) in buprenorphine programs.
"In comparison with the situation on the 31st of December 2010, methadone clients increased (+2%) and buprenorphine decrease (-3%) consolidating the inversion occurred in 2006 of the upward trend of clients in buprenorphine verified in previous years.
"Concerning the place of administration for the clients registered in methadone programs, on the 31st of December 2011:
"• 66% (67% in 2010, 69% in 2009 and 2008 and 70% in 2007) of these clients took their methadone in the ET;
"• 16%21 (16% in 2010, 17% in 2009 and 2008 and 18% in 2007) in health centres;
"• 3% (4% in 2010, 3% in 2009, 2008 and 2007) in pharmacies;
"• 3% in Hospitals (2% as in 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007);
"• 7% (5% as in 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007) in other settings²².
"In all Regions, ETs were the main place of administration, followed by the health centres (primary health care centres).
"The methadone therapeutic programs through pharmacies are the result of a protocol between IDT, I.P., National Association of Pharmacies (ANF), National Institute of Pharmacy and Medicines (INFARMED) and Pharmaceutical Order.
"Since the beginning of the program (July 1998) until 31 December 2011, integrated this project 506 pharmacies, 792 pharmaceutics and 2,913 clients."