Roundtable discussion on “The prescription of opioid replacement (substitution) therapy “was held at the Psychiatric Clinic

On the occasion of marking the International fight against substance addiction from 15^th of November to 15^th of December 2014 the Government’s Committee on the Prevention of Substance Abuse in the Republic of Srpska carried out specific activities to mark that month.

Within the activities undertaken a roundtable discussion on  “The prescription of opioid replacement therapy” was held at the Psychiatric Clinic.  In addition to the team of physician of the Centre for opioid replacement therapy of the Psychiatric Clinic, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Government’s Committee on the Prevention of Substance Abuse in the RS, the RS Ministry of interior, the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of B&H, the Public Health Institute of RS, the Health Insurance Fund of RS, Centre for Mental Health and the NGO “Victoria”.

In this manner, over the month during which the fight against addictions was marked, experiences between colleagues who are participating together in the fight against substance abuse were exchanged. Head of the Psychiatric Clinic Docent Nera Zivlak, MD PhD on this occasion presented the work of the Centre for opioid replacement therapy which was established within the Psychiatric Clinic five years ago.

At the very beginning of the work of the Centre there were many organizational problems that were overcome thanks to the enthusiasm of employees. Docent Zivlak used the opportunity to remind participants about the very beginning of the work of the Centre and present the team of physicians and medical staff who have been working with addicts on psychoactive substances.

All established procedures are maximally followed and problems in working are solved on a daily basis. Docent Zivlak emphasized that the possibility of misusing of therapy in these patients is reduced to minimum. In this regard, a team of physicians of the Psychiatric Clinic at the meeting suggested that the best solution for prescribing therapy in these patients would be an introduction of licensed physicians for what the support from relevant institutions is needed. The importance and problems in regards to the regular reporting to the Public Health Institute of RS in order to regularly update data on the number of treated addicts was also discussed.  It is well known fact that we are obliged to submit the data every year to the international organizations that provide monitoring of the substance abuse.

The common conclusion of all participants is that quite a lot has been done on the issue of addictions during the past period, but only the teamwork and good cooperation can improve communication and work with patients suffering from addictions.