News Report | June 2, 2023
Use & Misuse Of Buprenorphine For Opioid Use Disorder Low In Medicare Part D
During 2021, about 15.5% of Medicare Part D beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD)were prescribed buprenorphine. Of those beneficiaries taking buprenorphine for OUD, evidence of misuse was low. Nearly all, 97%, had prescriptions for no more than the recommended amount, indicating that the medication was not being misused or diverted. Additionally, the majority, 84%, were prescribed a buprenorphine-naloxone combination product, which has a lower risk of misuse. This analysis was conducted by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Over 1.1 million Part D beneficiaries in . . .