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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
More than 1 in 3 patients prescribed buprenorphine for opioid use disorder didn't fill their first prescription in 2024 — nearly double the rate seen in 2020. A new CDC-led study found that younger patients, those with commercial insurance, and those with higher pharmacy deductibles were most likely to abandon treatment. Experts say this trend represents a major missed opportunity in the fight against the opioid crisis.
A new CDC-led study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a troubling trend: abandonment rates for first-time buprenorphine prescriptions for opioid use disorder (OUD) nearly doubled between 2020 and 2024 — jumping from 19% to 37%. Overall, more than 1 in 4 patients (25.8%) across the study period never filled their initial prescription.
The retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 1,428 adults with commercial insurance or Medicare Advantage coverage. Researchers found that cost and insurance type played a significant role in who was most likely to walk away from treatment.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Every unfilled buprenorphine prescription is a missed entry point into OUD treatment — and potentially a step closer to overdose. Researchers suggest that directly dispensing buprenorphine during clinical visits, improving pharmacy availability, and strengthening care linkage could help close this dangerous gap.
