$500,000 boost for treatment of heroin dependency in Western Australia

Dr George O'Neil's work in the development of a naltrexone implant treatment to help heroin addicted patients has been acknowledged today by the State Government.

Mental Health Minister Graham Jacobs announced the Liberal-National Government would provide extra funding support to the Fresh Start Recovery Program.

"The value and importance of Dr O'Neil's work has been recognised by the WA Government in the last eight years through substantial recurrent funding of more than $1.135million a year," Dr Jacobs said.

"In response to the current dire financial situation in which Dr O'Neil finds himself, State Cabinet agreed to provide an additional $500,000 funding for the Australian Medical Procedures Research Foundation Inc (AMPRF), while he pursues the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) registration of the naltrexone implant treatment."

As part of the funding arrangement, Dr O'Neil has been asked to agree to the appointment of an independent and qualified researcher with relevant drug and alcohol treatment expertise, to undertake a comprehensive review of the available records and data to confirm the quality, validity and applicability of the research material. 

The aim of the review will be to determine if Dr O'Neil's data is suitable for presentation to the TGA for registration of the naltrexone implants. 

"The ultimate goal of this additional Government funding is for Dr O'Neil's implants to achieve TGA registration," the Minister said.  

"The researcher will be agreed on by Dr O'Neil and myself and conduct a review to clearly articulate the steps, processes and work required to achieve TGA registration.

"There will also be an independent financial audit of AMPRF and Go Medical (the company producing the naltrexone implants) to enable a proper assessment of the income and expenditure associated with the treatment of Western Australians for heroin, and other opiate and alcohol dependency using implants.

"The Drug and Alcohol Office will continue to assist AMPRF and the independent researcher to progress the TGA application, and I wish Dr O'Neil every success with this work."