The number of patients receiving buprenorphine reached 1,172 at the end of September, according to figures provided to this newspaper. This marks an increase from 748 in April 2023, the last time the Medical Independent (MI) reported on the issue.
A HSE spokesperson told MI that Suboxone is a trade name for buprenorphine, and other buprenorphine preparations are also available.
“The figures include all preparations of buprenorphine,” the spokesperson said.
Regulations introduced in November 2017 allowed access to certain buprenorphine-based medicinal products within the opioid substitution treatment system on the same statutory basis as methadone.
The spokesperson said that, nationally, 43 level 1 GPs and 39 level 2 GPs currently prescribe buprenorphine.
Level 1 GPs can treat stabilised opioid-dependent patients in their own practice, while level 2 GPs can provide comprehensive assessment, initiate treatment where appropriate,
stabilise and maintain treatment, and/or detoxify opioid-dependent patients.
The HSE also said that, at the end of September, 9,548 patients were receiving methadone.
According to the spokesperson, community pharmacies generally dispense both methadone and buprenorphine rather than providing only one of the medications.
“Overall, the most recent estimate of community pharmacies involved in dispensing opioid agonist treatment (methadone and buprenorphine) is 834,” they said.
Last month, the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor announced an additional €11 million in recurring funding for drugs and inclusion health services in Budget 2026.
This figure included expanding access to buprenorphine, enabling treatment of an additional 200 people with opioid dependence, according to the Department of Health.
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