A recent article published by STATNews suggests that Rahul Gupta, M.D., Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), is not aware that current law allows for dispensing of methadone in pharmacies through opioid treatment program (OTP) medication units co-located in pharmacies.
Methadone is one of three drugs approved the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for opioid use disorder (OUD). To expand methadone access, Gupta indicated that “all options are on the table,” including “looking into whether people could be prescribed [methadone] at an OTP but be dispensed at a pharmacy.” Yet, dispensing of OTP-ordered methadone in pharmacies is already permissible and happening in OTP medication units.
To learn more about pharmacy-based dispensing of methadone for OUD, read our resources on how it happens and on permissibility and feasibility.
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), is not aware that current law allows for dispensing of methadone in pharmacies through opioid treatment program (OTP) medication units co-located in pharmacies.
Methadone is one of three drugs approved the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for opioid use disorder (OUD). To expand methadone access, Gupta indicated that “all options are on the table,” including “looking into whether people could be prescribed [methadone] at an OTP but be dispensed at a pharmacy.” Yet, dispensing of OTP-ordered methadone in pharmacies is already permissible and happening in OTP medication units.
To learn more about pharmacy-based dispensing of methadone for OUD, read our resources on how it happens and on permissibility and feasibility.