New drug to fight heroin addiction

Concerned over large number of Indians infected by HIV due to intravenous drug use, UNAIDS has suggested use of an oral drug, methadone, tha...

Concerned over large number of Indians infected by HIV due to intravenous drug use, UNAIDS has suggested use of an oral drug, methadone, that simulates addiction to heroin and other opiods but can be checked more easily.

UNAIDS has written to the Union Health Ministry and the Ministry of Social Justice to introduce it in India, a step that reverses the policy on introducing methadone in India. What makes its case stronger is that the drug was recently put on WHO’s list of essential drugs.

‘‘We met the Drug Controller General of India in this regard,’’ said Denis Broun, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, on Tuesday. Drug Controller General of India Dr Ashwani Kumar said, ‘‘We met UNAIDS officials today and have discussed the issue. But there are many things that need to be considered. It is not easy. We have put forth our point of view.’’

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Called substitution or replacement therapy, the drug is given under medical supervision and the secondary addiction caused by it can be reversed more easily than dependence on heroin or other injectible drugs. The synthetic opiod taken orally as a syrup, however, is not currently manufactured in the country.

‘‘There is strong evidence from research that substitution therapy with methadone is effective in reducing illicit drug use, reducing mortality and reducing risk of HIV spreading. It has been shown that even crime is reduced,’’ said Broun.

According to UNAIDS, the new therapy could be important considering that 90 percent of patients in de-addiction centres suffer a relapse. ‘‘It is easier to treat methadone dependence than heroin dependence and there is no risk of exchange of needles or HIV,’’ said Broun.

However, a methadone overdose can be fatal. It may also be misused or diverted to illicit channels.

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To prevent this, UNAIDS suggests it be sold only under medical supervision and medical laws be enforced.

The antidote

Methadone: is a synthetic opiod administered orally as a liquid. It is commonly used in substitution therapy for heroin dependence. The drug comes under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotophic Substance Act and is not manufactured in India. People entering India and carrying methadone as part of their treatment are required to produce medical prescriptions.