The Primary Care Eligibility & Reimbursement Service (PCERS) is part of the HSE. It is responsible for processing payments to healthcare professionals; GPs, Dentists, Pharmacist and Optometrists/Ophthalmologists who provide free or reduced cost services to the public.

P.16 2.8 Opioid Substitution Treatment Scheme The Methadone Treatment Scheme commenced in October 1998. Under the Scheme Methadone is prescribed and dispensed by doctors and pharmacists for approved clients. Patient Care fees under this Scheme are paid to participating doctors and pharmacists. Persons who present to the registered medical practitioner for treatment must be notified to the Health Service Executive (HSE) and placed on the Central Treatment List (01-6488640, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday). The HSE issue an ‘opioid substitution treatment card’ in respect of a person participating in a programme of treatment in accordance with the regulations. The individual will have a treatment card number beginning with PH which is unique to them. 2.8.1 Central Treatment List The Central Treatment List contains information on all persons for whom methadone/suboxone treatment has been prescribed. The information contained in this list is based on information that must be supplied by doctors under Regulation 3 of the 2017 Regulations. Information contained in the Central Treatment List is confidential. 2.8.2 Drug Treatment Card An Opioid Substitution treatment card is issued in respect of all patients notified to the Central Treatment List. The card contains the name and photograph of the relevant patient and the name of the patient’s doctor and pharmacy. The card is sent directly to the patient’s pharmacy where it is held on behalf of the patient. Prescriptions for the treatment of opiate dependent patients may only be dispensed for patients for whom An Opioid Substitution treatment card has been issued and remains valid…

P.31 3.9 Opioid Substitution Treatment Scheme The Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone and Medicinal Products containing Buprenorphine Authorised for Opioid Substitution Treatment) Regulations 2017 (S.I No 522 of 2017) came into effect on the 22nd November 2017. This has extended certain buprenorphine medicinal products authorised for opioid substitution treatment to the Schedule of products that fall within the scope of these Regulations. These regulations replace the Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No 225 of 1998). The previous Methadone Treatment Prescription Form has been updated to the Opioid Substitution Treatment Prescription Form as a result of the new legislation. See Circular 013/18 for further details in relation to the Methadone and Opioid Substitution Treatment Scheme. Prescriptions are for a supply period of not greater than seven days. Where ‘Additional Bank Holiday Supply’ is required and indicated on the prescription under ‘Supervision Instructions’, a total of eight days duration can be provided. The prescription details are inserted on the prescription according to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 173 of 2017). The dosage in units i.e. the quantity per day of the preparation and the number of days at that dose must be written in the boxes specified on the prescription form. The total dosage in units as appropriate, must also be supplied in both words and figures…

P.39 3.9.2 Requisitions for Methadone/Suboxone for Professional Use In certain rare instances, such as in the case of those doctors providing services to persons held in Garda stations, it will be necessary for practitioners to obtain supplies of Methadone or Buprenorphine/Naloxone for professional use. In those instances, the official prescription forms should be used and the words “Requisition ‘For professional use” written in the place allocated on these forms for the name and address of the patient. Unlike the prescription forms where the top copy (i.e. the original) must be submitted as the notification, in the case of requisitions, the carbon copy must be submitted. The top copy of the requisition (i.e. the original) must be retained by the pharmacist in order to comply with the record keeping requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 1988 (S.I. No. 328 of 1988). The practitioners must pay for any supplies of Methadone or Buprenorphine/Naloxone obtained in this manner.