What are regulations on transitioning opioid addiction treatment with substitution medication from December 15, 2024 in Vietnam?

What are regulations on transitioning opioid addiction treatment with substitution medication from December 15, 2024 in Vietnam?​ (Image from the internet)

On October 28, 2024, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 141/2024/ND-CP guiding the Law on Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS 2006 (amended in 2020).

What are regulations on transitioning opioid addiction treatment with substitution medication from December 15, 2024 in Vietnam?

(1) Transitional treatment for opioid substance addiction using substitutes (hereinafter referred to as transitional treatment) for individuals currently undergoing substitute-based addiction treatment in the community:

- Individuals currently undergoing substitute-based opioid addiction treatment shall submit a Request for Transitional Treatment for Opioid Substance Addiction Using Substitutes according to Form No. 13 provided in the Appendix issued under Decree 141/2024/ND-CP to the substitute treatment facility where they are receiving treatment;

- The substitute treatment facility is responsible for preparing the Medical Summary Record for opioid substance addiction treatment using substitutes (hereinafter referred to as the Medical Summary Record) according to Form No. 14 provided in the Appendix issued with this Decree to provide individuals undergoing substitute-based opioid addiction treatment when they transition;

- The substitute treatment facility receiving the transitioning individuals has the responsibility to accept them for treatment. In the case of refusal to accept, a written response stating the reasons must be provided.

(2) Transitional treatment for individuals undergoing substitute-based opioid addiction treatment in the event the substitute treatment facility is temporarily suspended pursuant to administrative penalty decisions (hereinafter referred to as the suspended substitute treatment facility):

- Within 02 working days from the date of receiving the administrative penalty decision, the suspended substitute treatment facility is responsible for reporting to the Department of Health where the facility is located for the Department to designate substitute treatment facilities under its management (hereinafter referred to as designated substitute treatment facilities) to receive and provide treatment for individuals at the suspended facility;

- After receiving the Department of Health's notification regarding the designated substitute treatment facilities, the suspended substitute treatment facility must prepare the Medical Summary Record according to Form No. 14 provided in the Appendix issued under this Decree to issue to individuals undergoing substitute-based opioid addiction treatment at its facility;

- Within 02 working days from receiving the Department of Health's designation, the designated substitute treatment facility has the responsibility to accept and provide treatment for individuals from the suspended substitute treatment facility;

- The designated substitute treatment facility is responsible for transferring individuals back to the former substitute treatment facility once the Department of Health completes the re-announcement procedures for the suspended facility following the expiration of the suspension period as stated in Clause 2 Article 22 of this Decree.

(3) Transitional treatment for individuals undergoing substitute-based opioid addiction treatment in cases where the substitute treatment facility requests the cancellation of the documentation declaring eligibility for substitute opioid addiction treatment (hereinafter referred to as the facility requesting document cancellation):

- Within 02 working days from receiving the written request for canceling the declaration of eligibility for substitute opioid addiction treatment from the substitute treatment facility, the Department of Health must designate substitute treatment facilities under its management to receive and provide treatment for individuals from the facility requesting document cancellation;

- Upon receiving the Department of Health’s notification about the designated substitute treatment facilities, the facility requesting document cancellation must prepare the Medical Summary Record according to Form No. 14 provided in the Appendix issued under Decree 141/2024/ND-CP to issue to individuals undergoing substitute opioid addiction treatment at its facility;

- Within 02 working days from receiving the Department of Health's designation, the designated substitute treatment facility must accept and provide treatment for individuals from the facility requesting document cancellation.

(4) Transitional treatment for individuals undergoing substitute-based opioid addiction treatment between management facilities:

- Management facilities are responsible for preparing the Medical Summary Record according to Form No. 14 provided in the Appendix issued under Decree 141/2024/ND-CP to issue to individuals when transitioning;

- The management facility receiving the transitioning individual must accept them for treatment. In the case of refusal to accept, a written response stating the reasons must be provided.

(5) Transitional treatment for individuals undergoing substitute-based opioid addiction treatment returning to the community from a management facility:

- Management facilities must prepare the Medical Summary Record according to Form No. 14 provided in the Appendix issued under Decree 141/2024/ND-CP to issue to individuals returning to the community;

- The substitute treatment facility where the individual registers for treatment must accept them. In the case of refusal to accept, a written response stating the reasons must be provided.

See detailed content in Decree 141/2024/ND-CP effective from December 15, 2024.

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