The Methadone Market

Alex Wodak, MD, world renowned leader in drug treatment, leads an interesting, exploratory discussion on Methadone as a failed market. He questions whether heroin consumption follows other marketing models (e.g alcohol), with disproportionate consumption - do 20% of heroin users consume 70% of heroin? And if so, should treatment be aimed predominantly at these individuals to combat crime and new converts. He poses the question as to how many people should receive methadone, buprenorphine and other treatments and even if those numbers were known, could demand be met? In the end, he concludes Methadone is a failed market worldwide because demand outstrips supply due outside influences (politics, cost, stigma, etc).

October 26, 2006

Audio:MP3... (19.20 minutes)