Cost study of a methadone maintenance treatment

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the cost of methadone maintenance treatme nts in opioid-dependent individuals. PATHIENTS AND METHODS: Calculation of cost was achieved by applying an acti vity-based costing and management method from Conselleria de Sanitat of Cat alonia, Spain (1997). RESULTS: The cost of each methadone dose was 76 ptas, First medical visits cast 4,517 ptas. Urine tests cast 760 ptas, Transportation amounted to 18,8 95 ptas, CONCLUSION: Such a casting method is applicable and reveals the low cost of this methadone maintenance treatment in opioid-dependent subjects.