Mauritius Spent Over Rs 116 Million on Methadone in Five Years

The Mauritian government has spent more than Rs 116 million on methadone over the past five years, according to figures reported by Le Défi Media. The disclosure sheds new light on the scale of public expenditure behind one of the country's key drug harm-reduction strategies. **What is the methadone programme?** Methadone is a prescribed synthetic opioid used to treat dependency on heroin and other opiates. In Mauritius, the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) programme — commonly known as the methadone programme — is run under the Ministry of Health and Wellness. It was introduced to address the island's significant intravenous drug use problem, which has also been linked to a high rate of HIV transmission among drug users. Under the programme, registered patients receive daily doses of methadone at designated clinics and health centres across the island. The goal is to reduce illicit drug use, lower the risk of overdose, and cut the spread of blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. **How much has been spent?** The state has disbursed more than Rs 116 million over five years to fund the programme. This covers the cost of procuring the medication itself, which is imported and distributed through the public health network. The figure underlines the sustained financial commitment required to maintain the scheme at its current scale. **Why does this matter?** Mauritius has long grappled with a serious drug problem, particularly around synthetic drugs and heroin. The National Agency for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Substance Abusers (NATRESA) estimates that thousands of Mauritians are dependent on illicit substances. The OST programme is widely regarded by health authorities and international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) as an evidence-based response — one that reduces harm even if it does not eliminate dependency. Critics of the programme sometimes question its cost and long-term effectiveness, while public health advocates argue that the expense is justified when weighed against the social and medical costs of untreated addiction — including hospitalisation, crime, and HIV treatment. **What this means** For taxpayers, the Rs 116 million figure raises legitimate questions about value for money, the number of beneficiaries currently enrolled, and whether the programme is achieving its intended health outcomes. For patients and health workers, it confirms that the state remains committed to funding substitution therapy as a core pillar of its drug response strategy. As Mauritius continues to debate drug policy reform, transparency around these costs will be central to any informed public conversation. Source: Le Défi Media