Ontario Public Drug Programs, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Notice from the Executive Officer: Methadone
Maintenance Treatment – Extended Transition Time
Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) Reimbursement Policy, 2014
1. Transition Period
At the request of pharmacy retailers and software vendors, the ministry is extending the transition period
for dispensing Methadose 10mg/mL concentrated solution for methadone maintenance treatment
(MMT) for a SECOND month, to September 1, 2014.
The compounded methadone product may continue to be dispensed to MMT patients in Ontario
pharmacies until end of day August 31, 2014.The use of the compounded MMT PIN (09850619) will
continue to be active until that time.
2. Decimal Places and Claims Standards
The Health System Network uses CPhA V. 3 Claims standard which supports volumes with one decimal
place. For example, a dose of 75mg of Methadose would be a volume of 7.5mL.
For some claims the dose may need to be adjusted. For example, a dose of 2.5mg of Methadose would
be equal to 0.25mL. As a result, the dose may need to be adjusted to 3mg or 2mg. This will require a
physician’s written authorization.
Pharmacists are reminded that the reimbursement of Methadose is for methadone maintenance
treatment only. As noted in the FAQ document, patients receiving methadone for the treatment of
pain will see no change in the reimbursement of their treatment. Methadone will continue to be
considered for funding through the Exceptional Access Program (EAP).