Germany
Methadone/Buprenorphine/Codeine Treatment: available
Methadone/Buprenorphine (Subutex®)/Codeine/Morphine treatment is available from general practitioners, some clinics and specialized ambulatory (outpatient) services. Take home doses for up to seven days (interstate travels) or up to 30 days (international travels) are possible. Depending on the local region the patient wishes to visit it might sometimes be difficult to find an appropriate service. We strongly advise the patients’ home clinics or doctors to contact a German methadone/buprenorphine/codeine prescriber/specialised service some two weeks in advance of the expected date of the patients’ arrival in Germany. Regardless whether arrangements have been made between a home and a local prescriber or not any patient should carry a letter from his/her home prescriber stating identification and treatment details. In the event of having difficulties in finding an appropriate GP contact Ralf Gerlach at INDRO. Do not forget to ask prescribers in Germany about costs for treatment and medication. Several countries have signed a social security agreement with Germany so that an E 111 form (a health insurance document for abroad) is accepted which reduces costs to a minimum. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegowina, Croatia, Denmark, Federal Republic of Jugoslavia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Tunesia, and Turkey. Patients from countries that have not signed a social security agreement with Germany, e.g. the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, have to pay all fees on their own. Therefore, travellers without an E 111 form are strongly advised to bring into Germany the quantity of methadone/buprenorphine needed for the duration of stay whenever possible. Fees differ between different doctors/clinics – regarding methadone they range between 100 to 400 Euro per month.
Importation of Methadone/Buprenorphine/Codeine/Morphine: possible
Foreign methadone/buprenorphine/codeine/morphine patients are allowed to bring their own supply of medication needed for personal use for the duration of stay on condition that they carry a certificate from their home physician or clinic (including quantity of the medication, daily dosage, dates of arrival in and departure from Germany) which clearly supports their need for the medication. It should be noted that residents from one of the EU signatory countries of the “Schengen Implementing Convention, Article 75“ must carry with them a “Certification to carry drugs and/or other psychotropic substances for treatment purposes – Schengen Implementing Convention, Article 75” form when travelling to Germany, provided such forms are available in the corresponding countries.
Contact Addresses Will Soon Be Updated!
Selection of methadone/buprenorphine prescribers:
Substitutionsambulanz Altona
Holstenstr. 115
D-22765 Hamburg
Germany
Phone: +49 40 4329250
Fax: +49 40 43292519
Email: ambulanz.altona@asklepios.com
Contact person: Dr. Annina Crastens
(Contact last updated January 26, 2022)
Any comments and
additional information greatly appreciated.
Please address all correspondence to:
Ralf Gerlach
INDRO e.V.
Bremer Platz 18-20
48155 Münster
Germany
Phone: +49 251-60123 or +49 2571-582765
Fax: +49 251-666580 or +49 2571-584868
Email: INDROeV@t-online.de
(This page last revised January 26, 2022)
