You may be aware of some recent media comments regarding the current ICGP best practice guidelines “Working with Opiate Users in Community Based Primary Care ”. There were a number of concerns raised which were addressed when the Best Practice Guidelines Committee was recalled to discuss the matters raised.

We wish to advise you that the ICGP is confident that these Guidelines are evidenced based where possible and are supported by the experience of experts in the field where evidence is not available. We also wish to remind all practitioners that best practice guidelines provide guidance on what is considered best practice; they are not a substitute for clinical judgement.

In view of the concerns raised we wish to add the following addendums to the existing guidelines.