The National AIDS Control Program (NACP) in collaboration with Ministry of Narcotics Control and UNODC organized a National Consultation on Oral Substitution Treatment recently in Islamabad.
The aim of the meeting was to develop a consensus on initiating a Pilot Oral Substitution Treatment Program in Pakistan. The Chief on the occasion K. B. Rind, Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control highlighted the importance and significance of having OST Program in Pakistan. Anwar Hafeez, Additional Secretary, Anti-Narcotics Force and Dr. Hassan Abbas Zaheer, National Program Manager, NACP also spoke on the occasion. The National Consultation brought together government officials from the Ministry of Narcotics Control, Anti Narcotics Force, Federal and Provincial Health Ministries, National and Provincial AIDS Control Programs and Ministry of Commerce. Other participants included Professor of Psychiatry Departments from various medical college, IDUs care NGOs and other stakeholders. Special invited for the meeting were Dr. Azaraksh Mokri and Dr. Setareh Mohsenifar from the Iranian National Centre for Addiction Sciences, Tehran. The meeting unanimously agreed to initiate a one year pilot scientific study on oral substitution treatment in Pakistan at three centres for 100 clients each. The objectives of the study was to document the effectiveness of oral substitution treatment in Pakistan and to develop national practices guidelines for oral substitution treatment.