New Cost Impact Model Highlights Potential for Monthly Injectable Buprenorphine to Reduce Staffing Burdens in Correctional Facilities

Core Insights - The study indicates that SUBLOCADE, an extended-release buprenorphine injection, may significantly reduce staff time and associated costs in jails and prisons compared to other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) [1][2][3] Group 1: Cost Impact Model Findings - The model estimates that using monthly injectable buprenorphine requires fewer staff hours than other MOUD treatments, with reductions of 318 hours compared to methadone, 747 hours compared to oral buprenorphine, 192 hours compared to weekly extended-release buprenorphine, and 6 hours compared to extended-release naltrexone [7] - The estimated monthly cost savings from reduced staff time range from $23 to $22,148, with the largest savings resulting from the elimination of daily observed dosing and patient escorts [7] Group 2: Staffing Challenges in Correctional Facilities - Correctional facilities are facing ongoing staffing constraints as the demand for MOUD continues to grow, with nearly half of U.S. jails and prisons citing staffing as a primary barrier to providing MOUD [2][3] - The findings suggest that monthly injectable buprenorphine can alleviate the dosing burden and staff involvement, allowing facilities to operate more efficiently while expanding access to evidence-based care [2][3] Group 3: Study Background and Limitations - The study was funded by Indivior and conducted in collaboration with Veradigm and researchers from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine [4] - Limitations of the study include the exclusion of medication acquisition costs and some administration times based on assumptions due to a lack of available data [3]