there are 40005000 opioid abusers and about 1700 patients in opioid substitution treatment in finland . to assess advantages and disadvantages of pharmacy delivery of buprenorphine - naloxone and referral of stabile patients into primary health care . the setting was five finnish outpatient clinics involved in treatment of opioid dependence in 20082009 . seventy - four patients ( 75% males , mean age 33 ,  8 years in treatment ) were interviewed . a questionnaire regarding the patients '  situation the view of personnel was studied in five group interviews ( n=24 ) and through a questionnaire ( n=36 ) . most patients were unemployed , had psychiatric problems , and had heavy history of drug abuse . transition to pharmacy delivery and to primary health care was more difficult and time - consuming than expected . this was due to patients ' insistent personal need for psychosocial treatment or concerns of the personnel . a variety of treatment models , careful evaluation of the patients situation , and training of personnel of clinics and health centres , and pharmacy staff is needed . both patients and personnel were willing to move towards less restrictive models , if they were flexible enough .
introductionthere are 40005000 opioid abusers and about 1700 patients in opioid substitution treatment in finland . 
 new legislation ( 2008 ) allows less restrictive treatment models than before.aimsto assess advantages and disadvantages of pharmacy delivery of buprenorphine - naloxone and referral of stabile patients into primary health care.theory and methodsthe setting was five finnish outpatient clinics involved in treatment of opioid dependence in 20082009 . 
 seventy - four patients ( 75% males , mean age 33 ,  8 years in treatment ) were interviewed . a questionnaire regarding the patients '  situation 
 was filled in by the nurses ( n=166 patients ) . 
 the view of personnel was studied in five group interviews ( n=24 ) and through a questionnaire ( n=36 ) . 
 qualitative and quantitative methods were used.resultsmost patients were unemployed , had psychiatric problems , and had heavy history of drug abuse . 
 transition to pharmacy delivery and to primary health care was more difficult and time - consuming than expected . 
 this was due to patients ' insistent personal need for psychosocial treatment or concerns of the personnel . 
 financial and organizational factors also played an important role.conclusionsa variety of treatment models , careful evaluation of the patients situation , and training of personnel of clinics and health centres , and pharmacy staff is needed . 
 both patients and personnel were willing to move towards less restrictive models , if they were flexible enough .