SAMHSA-NIDA-FDA Meeting on High-Dose Buprenorphine

This meeting of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will discuss medical need, emerging data and barriers to accessing high dose buprenorphine in the context of high potency synthetic opioid exposure. 

Objective:

This open meeting aims to gather both quantitative and qualitative data on the need for, effectiveness, and safety of high-dose buprenorphine (24mg+) in the treatment of opioid use disorders, particularly in the emerging context of fentanyl exposure. Contributors seek to inform federal guidelines and policies with the latest evidence and practical experiences.

Key Framing Questions:

• What current quantitative data exists on the use of higher buprenorphine doses, especially regarding effectiveness and safety in the context of fentanyl?
• What qualitative insights can we gather from the real-world application of higher-dose buprenorphine, including patient experiences? 
• What are the primary barriers to accessing higher-dose buprenorphine, and how might these be overcome? 
• What knowledge gaps persist regarding high-dose buprenorphine, and what areas require further research?