Diversion and abuse of buprenorphine: findings from national surveys of treatment patients and physicians

Background: Since 2003, buprenorphine has been approved for the treatment of opioid dependence in office-based practice. Diversion and abuse can be a threat to its continued approval under these conditions.

Methods: As part of a national postmarketing surveillance program, applicants to substance abuse treatment and physicians certified to prescribe buprenorphine were surveyed about their perceptions of buprenorphine/naloxone diversion and abuse. These surveys were supplemented by information from national databases. Availability of buprenorphine/naloxone was measured by number of tablets dispensed.

Results: Measures of diversion and abuse of buprenorphine/naloxone increased from 2005 to 2009. The results from the applicant survey showed that the perceptions of the extent of diversion and abuse were lower than positive controls, methadone, oxycodone and heroin, but higher than the negative control, amitriptyline. By 2009, 46% of the physicians believed that buprenorphine/naloxone was diverted but 44% believed illegal use was for self-management of withdrawal and 53% believed the source of the medication was substance abuse patients. Other measures from national databases showed similar results. When adjusted for millions of tablets sold per year, slopes for measures of diversion and abuse were reduced.

Conclusions: The increases in diversion and abuse measures indicate the need to take active attempts to curb diversion and abuse as well as continuous monitoring and surveillance of all buprenorphine products. However, these increases parallel the increased number of tablets sold. Finding a balance of risk/benefit (i.e. diversion and abuse versus expanded treatment) remains a challenge.