Reassessment of reimbursement status of strong analgesics (opioids) – methadone and codeine

On 15 August 2011, the Danish Medicines Agency announced that we would begin reassessing the reimbursement status of medicines in ATC group N02A, opioids. See announcement to the right. 

The Reimbursement Committee opened its preliminary discussions at its meeting on 23 August 2011 and recommended to include the opioids methadone (N07BC02) and codeine (R05DA04), also used in pain management, in the reassessment of reimbursement status of medicinal products in ATC group N02A.

It is only the use of methadone and codeine for pain management that is included in this reassessment of reimbursement status, and not their use against opioid drug addiction and cough, respectively. As regards methadone's and codeine's use for pain management, we therefore refer to our announcement of 15 August 2011

Buprenorphine sublingual tablets in the strengths of 2 and 4 mg (N07BC01), which are used only for treatment of opioid drug addiction, are not included in this reassessment of reimbursement status.

Scientific societies and patient organisations have been informed.