Results for: Opioid Addiction

Despite the easing of restrictions on prescribing buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, the number of patients taking the medication has barely increased. Researchers attribute this to barriers such as insurance hurdles, cost, lack of availability in pharmacies, and stigma around opioid addiction. While the number of prescribers has risen significantly, the researchers urge the government to encourage and compel healthcare providers to offer more treatment options to address the ongoing overdose crisis.

Despite the easing of restrictions on prescribing buprenorphine, a treatment drug for opioid addiction, a recent study reveals that there has been minimal growth in the number of people using the medication. Researchers found that while the number of prescribers increased significantly after the elimination of a special waiver requirement, the number of patients filling prescriptions saw only a slight rise of around 2%. Experts attribute this discrepancy to persistent barriers such as insurance hurdles, cost, limited drug availability, and stigma surrounding addiction. The opioid crisis continues to be a pressing concern, and experts emphasize the need for more aggressive efforts to expand access to buprenorphine treatment.

In the fight against the opioid crisis, a new overdose reversal drug called Opvee has emerged as a potential game-changer. Opvee, or nalmefene, has shown promising results in clinical trials and is now being used by law enforcement agencies in several states. This nasal spray is more potent than naloxone, the current standard for overdose reversal, and may increase survival rates for those experiencing overdoses.