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City public hospital system boosts access to buprenorphine, a prescription drug that manages opioid addiction

The New York Daily News - 11/1/2018

Nov. 01--Doctors at the city's public health clinics will boost access to buprenorphine, a prescription drug to manage opioid addiction, NYC Health + Hospitals announced Thursday.

People suffering from opioid dependence will have an easier time getting the drug -- touted as "a life-saving office-based opioid treatment."

Buprenorphine is often a better option than methadone because it does not require daily clinic visits. The drug also has a low potential for abuse and a minimal risk for overdose.

The increased access to the addiction medication "will help save more lives," said Dr. Daniel Schatz, director of program and policy in the office of behavioral health at NYC Health + Hospitals.

Doctors at the city's 11 public hospitals and 18 clinics see approximately 20,000 unique patients battling an opioid addiction each year.

But they need a special certification to prescribe buprenorphine, a narcotic. The certification process requires a minimum of eight hours of additional training.

Currently, there are 40 doctors at the city's 18 clinics with the certification, and 169 throughout the NYC Health + Hospital system.

City officials are in the process of adding to those ranks.

Patients on buprenorphine place the drug under their tongue, where it dissolves. At first they must check back with their doctor each week. But over time, those visits are monthly and eventually every few months.

The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid addiction in 2002. Studies have shown it is far more successful than other non-medication treatments at helping people with an opioid addiction to quit.

Lawmakers and advocates for people with drug addictions hailed the de Blasio administration's move to increase access.

"Experts agree that buprenorphine saves lives but, too often, people struggling with addiction don't have access to this life-saving treatment," said Brooklyn City Councilman Stephen Levin. "These disparities in access disproportionately impact low-income families and people of color."

* Addiction

* Drugs and Medicines

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