This research project set out to examine, the extent and nature of pharmaceutical services for patients in methadone treatment in Ireland before and after the introduction of the MPS.

It examines this from the perspective of both service providers and service users, using both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. A postal survey undertaken among all community pharmacies in the southern sectors of the EHB region eight months prior to the introduction of the MPS showed that 29% of respondents were dispensing methadone. A second postal survey of community pharmacies who dispensed methadone 1mg/ml, which was undertaken two months before the introduction of the MPS, showed that 36% of all community pharmacies dispensing methadone 1mg/ml in Ireland were supervising dose consumption on-site. A third postal survey among community pharmacies participating in the MPS six months after its introduction found on-site supervision in 48% of responding pharmacies. A longitudinal analysis of the responses of those involved in the multiple community pharmacy surveys showed a fall in the mean number of patients per pharmacy following the introduction of the MPS and an increase in the provision of on-site supervision. A retrospective study of the queries handled by the liaison pharmacy service in the two southern sectors of the EHB region over a one-year period encompassing the introduction of the MPS showed that the service was widely utilised, managing queries from a number of disciplines on a variety of diverse issues.

The first ever qualitative investigation of Irish users' view of pharmaceutical services under the MPS was carried out. Its findings indicated that patients recognised the value of on-site supervision in some circumstances, but emphasised the importance of providing adequate privacy throughout the supervision process, particularly in the community pharmacy setting. Respondents described individualised dosing routines and identified a number of difficulties associated with taking their methadone at home.