Examining buprenorphine diversion through a harm reduction lens: an agent-based modeling study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent policies have lessened restrictions around prescribing buprenorphine-naloxone (buprenorphine) for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). The primary concern expressed by critics of these policies is the potential for buprenorphine diversion. However, the population-level effects of increased buprenorphine diversion are unclear. If replacing the use of heroin or fentanyl, use of diverted buprenorphine could be protective.

Methods

Our study aim was to estimate the impact of buprenorphine diversion on opioid overdose using an agent-based model calibrated to North Carolina. We simulated the progression of opioid misuse and opioid-related outcomes over a 5-year period. Our status quo scenario assumed that 50% of those prescribed buprenorphine diverted at le

SUBMITTER: Adams JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10580611 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature