Individuals Dispensed Buprenorphine in the United States Before and After Federal Policy Changes Aimed at Increasing Access.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Buprenorphine can decrease opioid use disorder and mortality risk but remains underutilized. This study evaluates changes in monthly buprenorphine dispensing associated with federal policy changes in the United States from 2018 to 2023.

Methods

This study used interrupted time series analysis comparing the monthly rate of patients dispensed buprenorphine after the implementation of telehealth flexibilities in March 2020, relaxation of training requirements in April 2021, and removal of waiver requirements in December 2022. Buprenorphine formulated for opioid use disorder was included from the IQVIA Total Patient Tracker.

Results

Before March 2020, the monthly rate of individuals dispensed buprenorphine was increasing. The rate of increase slowed after each

SUBMITTER: Guy GP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12353755 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature