Modernising the framework conditions for medicine treatments in opioid dependence syndrome

Opioid medicines prescribed on a long-term basis for opioid dependence syndrome have historically been deemed « substitution treatments » and misunderstood as involving the "replacement of an illicit drug by a legal drug". Prior authorisation schemes, in addition to ordinary procedures for authorising medicines and supervising professionals, interfere with access to treatment. In order to guide the countries in their efforts to modernise their regulations, the Pompidou Group mandated a group of health and legal experts, who identified 62 guiding principles and developed four strategic recommendations : 1) the removal of prior authorisation schemes, 2) the removal of financial barriers, 3) supervision by a national consultative body and 4) The adoption of neutral, precise and respectful terminology.