In addition to a cantonal licence for the prescription, dispensing and administering of narcotics for purposes of treating persons dependent on narcotics, physicians wishing to prescribe diacetylmorphine require a special federal licence issued by the FOPH.
Article 3e, paragraph 3 of the Narcotics Act (NarcA; RS 812.121) specifies that diacetylmorphine may only be prescribed by specialist physicians. Physicians wishing to prescribe diacetylmorphine must obtain a licence from the FOPH permitting them to obtain, use and administer diacetylmorphine for purposes of diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment (Article 18 of the Narcotics Addiction Ordinance, NarcAO; RS 812.121.6).