Published on 31 March 2023

Diacetylmorphine: physician licence

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).

• Content of the request

  Physicians wishing to obtain a licence must submit a written request to the FOPH in which they:

  • Certify that they hold a cantonal licence for the prescription of narcotics in addition to their licence to practice. They must hold a licence for the prescription, dispensing and administering of narcotics for purposes of treating persons dependent on narcotics (Article 3e, paragraph 1 NarcA).

  • Provide proof of sufficient experience in the field of addiction (copy of CV, university degree, certificates or proof of having attended further training on addiction, or proof of practical training in the case of new physicians).

  • Specify their GLN number for identification purposes.

  • Describe the organisational arrangements in place for treating patients during any absences of the licensed physician. Only a physician holding a licence is permitted to prescribe diacetylmorphine, and this similarly applies to any physician who is deputising for him/her.

  • Specify the envisaged duration of the licence (no more than five years).

   

  No fee is charged for issuing the physician licence (Article 40, letter d NarcAO).

   

  The request must be submitted to

  Federal Office of Public Health
  Prevention Non-communicable Diseases Division
  Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
  3003 Berne
  Switzerland
  Tel.: [phone]

   

• Expiry of the licence

  The licence granted to the physician expires once the physician has terminated the diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment

• Withdrawal of the licence

  The FOPH will withdraw the licence granted to the physician if the latter:

  • No longer meets the conditions required for the issue of the licence;
  • Has committed an intentional breach or repeated negligent breaches of the NarcA or the Ordinances related to it;
  • Requests its withdrawal.

Further information

• Documents

  • Informationen zu den Gesuchen und Bewilligungen für eine diacetylmorphingestützte Behandlung

    PDF236.27 kB11 April 2023

• Legislation

  Article 3e, paragraphs 1 and 3 of the Federal Act of 3 October 1951 on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Narcotics Act, NarcA; RS 812.121)

  Articles 18, 19 and 20 of the Ordinance on Narcotics Addition and other Addiction Disorders (Narcotics Addiction Ordinance, NarcAO ; RS 812.121.6) (in French, Italian or German)

Further topics