This article describes a study of injected, long-acting buprenorphine, yet another attempt to minimize the problems associated with buprenorphine specifically and widely using opioids generally. While it is reported that the the study shows promise, problems are listed that communities, service providers and families should be aware of when undertaking MAT treatment including:

• “Forgetting to take a daily dose. This could leave patients more vulnerable to cravings.”
• “Deciding to stop the pills or films.” This may occur when the patient wants to got “on a bender” for a few days.
• “Selling, trading or giving away films or pills.” This can have disastrous consequences as highlighted in the article.
• “Children could accidentally take the drug if they find the pills or film.” The article cites the case of a “4-year-old Michigan boy found his uncle’s prescribed buprenorphine and swallowed a tablet, the uncle pleaded guilty for his role in the child’s accidental death.”

The article also notes that “Doctors are concerned about patients combining the medication with alcohol or other drugs. That can be deadly … even when mixed with anti-anxiety medicines such as alprazolam, the main ingredient in Xanax.”

Finally, the article highlights the marketing side of MAT proliferation when it identifies that two studies  “were funded by Braeburn Pharmaceuticals, in Princeton, New Jersey, which developed the drug treatment through a partnership with Camurus, based in Lund, Sweden.”