Although health plans’ formularies have largely been making it easier for people to access buprenorphine in recent years, new research indicates that coverage barriers and access gaps remain — particularly for a newer, costlier extended-release formulation of the opioid use disorder (OUD) drug.
However, a recent FDA approval could usher in more competition that decreases the price and increases coverage of extended-release buprenorphine, which has major advantages over the immediate-release versions, according to one of the study authors.