Written question asked by Michael Connarty (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 February 2005. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 10 February 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has made a comparative assessment of the social outcomes for drug users who are under treatment with (a) methadone and (b) buprenorphine; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has made a comparative assessment of the social outcomes for drug users who are under treatment with (a) methadone and (b) buprenorphine; and if he will make a statement. [214277] Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department has not commissioned any assessments comparing drug users who are under treatment with methadone, and those under treatment with buprenorphine, specifically in relation to social outcome. We recognise that there are both advantages and disadvantages for each treatment method. The choice for patients must be determined by the professional prescribing the treatment, taking all the circumstances of individual cases into account.

Secondary information