Interventions of interest:

  • Monthly buprenorphine injection (Sublocade™, Indivior)
  • Buprenorphine implant (Probuphine®, Braeburn/Titan)
  • Buprenorphine extended release injection (Sublocade®, Braeburn)

These therapies were compared to MAT with methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual film (Suboxone®, Indivior), and injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol®, Alkermes).

Opioid use disorder has reached a critical level in the United States, driven by over-prescription and diversion of opioid painkillers, as well as the low cost and increased potency of heroin. The societal impact is substantial in terms of costs related to treatment, lost work productivity, criminal activity, and social welfare expenditure. The goals of treatment for opioid use disorder include a decrease in illicit opioid use, decreased mortality, and reductions in criminal activity.

For questions or additional information, please contact info@icer.org

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Final Documents

Below you will find the final documents from the assessment review process:

Public CommentsDownload
Report-at-a-GlanceDownload
Report-at-a-Glance (Spanish)Download
Final Evidence Report & meeting SummaryDownload
Response to Public CommentsDownload

ICER’s Chief Medical Officer David Rind, MD, MSc stated:

“Opioid use disorder is devastating families and communities in the US. Extended-release medications have generated clinical interest because of their potential to improve individuals’ ability to remain in treatment. It is helpful to have multiple formulations available to be able to tailor treatment for each individual’s needs, but the findings of our analysis suggest that these extended-release formulations achieve at most marginal clinical benefits over generic buprenorphine/naloxone, and at far higher costs.”