Diversion and Abuse of Buprenorphine: A Brief Assessment of ...

Diversion and Abuse of Buprenorphine:
Results of the Vermont Case Study
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SUMMARY
This case study was undertaken by CSAT/SAMHSA in response to reports that availability of
Suboxone® and Subutex® for the treatment of opioid addiction has been accompanied by the
emergence of a small but persistent problem with diversion and abuse of those medications. This
is not unexpected, in that historical data show a period of experimentation following the
introduction of many drugs. Nevertheless, CSAT/SAMHSA determined that the problem
required further examination, and commissioned a case study in the State of Vermont that
involved analysis of all available data and interviews with key State officials.
Results of the case study suggest that buprenorphine diversion and abuse are not widespread, but
rather tend to be concentrated in certain small population groups within the state. This
phenomenon may reflect lack of access to addiction treatment, as some non­medical use appears
to involve attempts to self­medicate with buprenorphine when formal treatment is not available.
SAMHSA has provided the case study results to officials in Vermont and is prepared to assist
them in any actions they may wish to take to further assess and/or address the identified issues.
BACKGROUND
On October 17, 2000, the President signed into law the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000
(DATA), Title XXXV, Section 3502 of the Children’s Health Act of 2000. DATA expanded the
clinical context of medication­assisted treatment by allowing qualified physicians to prescribe or
dispense specifically approved Schedule III, IV, and V medications for detoxification and
maintenance treatment of addiction. In addition, DATA reduced the regulatory burden on
physicians by permitting qualified physicians to apply for and receive waivers from the special
registration requirements defined in the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
DATA 2000 marks the first time in almost 40 years that pharmacotherapies for addiction can be
offered to patients in office­based settings. The act thus is designed to address the growing gap
between the number of persons in need of treatment for opiate addiction and the amount of
treatment available.
Two formulations of buprenorphine (which were approved by the FDA in October 2002) are the
first – and so far only – medications approved under DATA 2000 for the pharmacologic treatment
of addiction. One formulation (Subutex®) contains buprenorphine alone, while the other
(Suboxone®) is a combination of buprenorphine with naloxone, an opioid antagonist. (The
Buprenex® formulation is approved only for the treatment of pain, and no generic version has
been approved for use in the U.S.) Both Subutex and Suboxone, which are designed to be
administered sublingually, are available in 2 mg and 8 mg tablets. Both are classified as Schedule
III narcotics under the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
Results of the Vermont Case Study
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