GVS advice on subcutaneous buprenorphine (Buvidal®)
Zorginstituut Nederland has completed its assessment whether the product subcutaneous buprenorphine (Buvidal®) is interchangeable with another product that is included in the Medicine Reimbursement System (GVS). Subcutaneous buprenorphine (Buvidal®) is indicated for treating addiction to opioids, in the context of medical, social and psychological treatment. The treatment is intended for use in people aged 16 and above. The Zorginstituut recommends that subcutaneous buprenorphine (Buvidal®) should be included in List 1B on the condition that there are no additional costs for the pharmacy budget.
Registered indication
Subcutaneous buprenorphine (Buvidal®) is indicated for treating addiction to opioids, in the context of medical, social and psychological treatment. The treatment is intended for use in adults and young people aged 16 and above.
Review of interchangeability
Oral methadone and sublingual buprenorphine + naloxone have been included in the GVS for treating opioid addiction. Methadone has been included in cluster 0N07BCAO V and sublingual buprenorphine + naloxone in cluster 0N07BCBO V.
In the GVS, the classification of medicinal products into groups of interchangeability distinguishes between, among other things, medicinal products administered through injection and non-injection medicinal products. For that reason, subcutaneous buprenorphine administered by injection is not interchangeable with oral methadone or sublingual buprenorphine + naloxone.
Zorginstiuut's advice
The Zorginstituut reached a final conclusion that subcutaneous buprenorphine meets the established medical science and medical practice for treating moderate to severe opioid addiction in adults aged 18 and older within the context of medical, social and psychological treatment. Its therapeutic value is comparable with that of sublingual buprenorphine + naloxone, but more expensive. The Zorginstituut recommends that subcutaneous buprenorphine (Buvidal®) should be included in List 1B on the condition that there are no additional costs for the pharmacy budget.