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Reference: Abstracted from Aftenposten in Norwegian Aftenposten Sept. 17, 2001: Pg. 6
The Norwegian authorities have changed the rules regarding doctors prescribing drugs which ease the effects of heroin on drug addicts. Roger Gundersen, a Norwegian doctor, has for many years prescribed these types of drugs to addicts in Norway, but this practice was banned by the Norwegian board of health in March last year. Mr. Gundersen appealed the decision to the Norwegian district court, and won his case in May of this year.
The Norwegian ministry of social affairs and health appealed to the Norwegian Central Criminal Court, but withdrew its appeal in September. In spite of this, Mr Gundersen's prescriptions will not be valid from 1 October 2001 since the authorities have changed the rules.
After a prolonged back-and-forth process in the courts, it has now been decreed that methadone prescriptions for addicts may only be filled when written by "a government-approved methadone project." The immediate target of this ban appears to have been Dr. Roger Gundersen, who has for many years prescribed opioid agonist medications to addicts. In essence, after October 1, 2001, methadone treatment by office-based practitioners in Norway will have ceased.