When evaluating a medication, researchers sometimes overlook a key factor: retention. But how meaningful are other data, if patients drop out of treatment? A study recently published in JAMA Letters used U.S. prescription data to evaluate recent trends in buprenorphine initiation and retention. A team of … [Read more...] about What Really Matters is Retention in Treatment (JAMA Letters)
2023
SAMHSA and FDA reduce counseling recommendations for buprenorphine
Receiving buprenorphine should not be contingent upon receivingcounseling as well, according to a “Dear Colleague” letter issued May 9 bythe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Substance Abuse andMental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In the letter, states that“an often-cited barrier to prescribing buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD[opioid use disorder] is … [Read more...] about SAMHSA and FDA reduce counseling recommendations for buprenorphine
The First 24 Hours
Part I: When OTP Patients Leave Lockup They’ve served their sentences, and now it’s time to leave. Many look forward to a new start in life, but they may be woefully unprepared for the challenges they’ll face. When the lucky ones step outside, family will greet them, hug them, take them home for a good meal and a comfy bed. The less fortunate will find … [Read more...] about The First 24 Hours
What’s happening with all the NPRMs and bills?
Quick summary from AT Forum Confused by all the bills and proposals? That puts you in good company with most of America, except for us nerds who do nothing else. Here’s a quick summary of what’s going on in the methadone (and sometimes, buprenorphine) world, and who’s for what. Regulatory Telemedicine and buprenorphine: The Drug Enforcement Administration is going to … [Read more...] about What’s happening with all the NPRMs and bills?
NABH responds to “cartel” and “profits” comments against OTPs by lawmakers pushing office-based methadone bill
On March 24 the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH) wrote a blistering letter to the two leaders in charge of a bill which would move methadone treatment beyond opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to include office-based addiction medicine practitioners. The organization expressed its “deep disappointment” with the language used by the lawmakers in official press … [Read more...] about NABH responds to “cartel” and “profits” comments against OTPs by lawmakers pushing office-based methadone bill