Probuphine

Overdose Deaths Since the FDA Rejected Probuphine

U.S. opioid overdose deaths April 30, 2013 - May 26, 2016

UPDATE: 5/26/2016 - FDA APPROVES PROBUPHINE (LINK)

On April 30, 2013 the FDA announced its rejection of Probuphine, a buprenorphine implant for the treatment of opioid addiction. However, it was not rejected due to safety or efficacy of buprenorphine, which had a decade-long record of successful lifesaving treatment with tablets and film. Instead, their main objection was a nuance of dosing because some patients, in the clinical trials, required supplemental buprenorphine in the form of tablets or film in addition to the implant. This should be no surprise as all patients do not require the same dose all the time. Typically this sort of detail is sorted out with clinical experience where thousands of doctors prescribe to tens of thousands of patients and report their experiences in the form of peer-reviewed papers. When facing an epidemic of overdose deaths, this detail seems insignificant when considering the lifesaving potential of Probuphine.

Probuphine is unique among buprenorphine medications as it has many attributes currently unavailable in the current offerings. It provides 6 months of steady-state medication which virtually guarantees 6 months of compliance, is difficult to divert, although it last for six months, it contains about 1/6 - 1/3 of the medication required when taking tablets or film for the same period thus reducing diversion risk further, and eliminates the ritual of taking a pharmaceutical daily which can be a trigger for people addicted to prescription opioids. Read more about Probuphine here

As you scroll down the page realize that each "X" represents a lost life of someone with family, friends, coworkers and neighbors who loved them. If Probuphine was available, how many of them would be alive today?

Opioid Overdose Deaths

Since the FDA's rejection of Probuphine in April 2013 (source:CDC)

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The National Alliance of Advocates
for Buprenorphine Treatment

Overdose Deaths Since the FDA Rejected Probuphine

U.S. opioid overdose deaths April 30, 2013 - May 26, 2016

Opioid Overdose Deaths

The Purpose of Buprenorphine Treatment:

The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment is a non-profit organization charged with the mission to: