In California, Significant Rural/Urban Disparities Existed In 2021 Access To Active Buprenorphine Prescribers

Significant disparities in access to active prescribers of buprenorphine exist between rural and urban areas in California, according to a recent analysis. The report recommended strategically allocating resources to regions with a shortage of active buprenorphine prescribers. Across the 1,600 California ZIP Codes where data showed people prescribed buprenorphine residing, 57.8% had active buprenorphine-prescribing health care professionals. A disproportionate 92% of active prescribers were concentrated in metropolitan areas, with just 0.26% in rural areas.

Real-world data sourced from California’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES), a state-operated Prescription Drug Monitoring Program . . .