From methadone to buprenorphine or back to methadone. The Croatian experience

In Croatia maintenance treatment is made widely available through a network of GP offices that covers the whole of the country. More then 50% of all GPs in Croatia have at least one patient in MT. Methadone was the only opioid agonist used for over a decade, but this changed when buprenorphine was introduced 4 years ago. There is little difference in the regimen for the prescription and provision of the two medications: both are free of charge and are prescribed by GPs; in addition, there are no restrictions on the close to be used or on 'take home' policy. The decision on which medication will be used is based exclusively on the clinical assessment and patient-doctor agreement. The example of Croatia gives an opportunity to compare the acceptance of this medication by patients and doctors in situations of equal availability.