Guidance on the application of laws in the treatment of opioid addiction with substitute medication from December 15, 2024 in Vietnam

Guidance on the application of laws in the treatment of opioid addiction with substitute medication from December 15, 2024 in Vietnam ​ (Image from Internet)

On October 28, 2024, the Government of Vietnam promulgated Decree 141/2024/ND-CP guiding the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) 2006.

Guidance on the application of laws in the treatment of opioid addiction with substitute medication from December 15, 2024 in Vietnam 

According to the regulation at Article 28 Decree 141/2024/ND-CP, the legal application in opioid addiction treatment with substitute medication is as follows:

- Individuals addicted to opioid substances are responsible for registering to participate in opioid addiction treatment with substitute medication as prescribed in Decree 141/2024/ND-CP or registering for voluntary drug detoxification as prescribed in Decree 116/2021/ND-CP of the Government of Vietnam detailing a number of articles of the Law on Drug Prevention and Control 2021, Law on Handling Administrative Violations 2012 on drug detoxification and management after drug detoxification.

- Do not prepare dossiers proposing the application of administrative handling measures to send into compulsory detoxification facilities for those currently participating in opioid addiction treatment with substitute medication as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 28 Decree 141/2024/ND-CP.

- Do not apply the regulation at Clause 2 Article 28 Decree 141/2024/ND-CP to any of the following cases:

+ Individuals addicted to opioid substances who have registered to participate in opioid addiction treatment with substitute medication but do not undergo the treatment;

+ Subjects prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 Article 36 Decree 141/2024/ND-CP.

“Article 36. Termination and completion of treatment for individuals undergoing opioid addiction treatment with substitute medication

1. Individuals currently undergoing treatment who voluntarily terminate opioid addiction treatment with substitute medication.

2. Individuals undergoing treatment whose treatment is terminated when violating any of the following provisions:

a) Failure to comply with specialized procedures on opioid addiction treatment with substitute medication more than twice within 6 months;

b) Testing positive for opioid substances consecutively more than twice (excluding alternative treatment drugs) within 12 months after achieving maintenance dose;

c) Testing positive for other drugs besides opioid substances;

d) Committing acts of infringing on property of agencies, organizations; property, health, honor, dignity of citizens or foreigners; violating public order and safety;

đ) Failing to attend medication intake for 30 days or more.”

Refer to Decree 141/2024/ND-CP effective from December 15, 2024.

The following documents cease to be effective as of the date Decree 141/2024/ND-CP becomes effective:

- Decree 108/2007/ND-CP detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) 2006;

- Decree 75/2016/ND-CP regulating conditions for performing HIV testing;

- Decree 90/2016/ND-CP regulating the treatment of opioid addiction with substitute medication.

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