Diacetylmorphine-assisted (heroin-assisted) treatment

Diacetylmorphine (pharmaceutical heroin) substitution treatment is intended for individuals with a severe heroin addiction. It is administered in specialist centres.

Diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment (treatment involving the prescription of heroin, also referred to as “HAT” treatment in Switzerland) consists of the strictly regulated and controlled administration of diacetylmorphine, accompanied by medical and psychosocial care. It was first tested in Switzerland in 1994 as part of a cohort study. In the light of the positive results obtained, it was adopted as a therapeutic measure and included in the Narcotics Act in its revised version of 2011. In 2021, some 1700 addicted persons received this treatment in 22 specialist outpatient centres and one penal institution. Around 8% of addicted persons in Switzerland thus benefit from diacetylmorphine-substitution treatment.

The FOPH is responsible for issuing licences for this treatment, for its monitoring and controlling, and for providing information pertaining to it.

Further information on the various licences may be found on this page.

Further information

Licences for diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment

Diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment is governed specifically by the Narcotics Act (NarcA; RS 812.121) and is subject to a federal licensing system.

Last modification 11.04.2023

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Contact

Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Prevention Non-communicable diseases Division
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003 Bern
Switzerland
Tel. +41 58 463 88 24
E-mail

Print contact

https://www.bag.admin.ch/content/bag/en/home/gesund-leben/sucht-und-gesundheit/suchtberatung-therapie/substitutionsgestuetzte-behandlung/heroingestuetzte-behandlung.html