Buprenorphine v Subutex

Drug and alcohol prescribers often prescribe Subutex or generic buprenorphine for substance misuse.
 
Traditionally the drug tariff cost of buprenorphine has been based on the subutex price, so it wasn't uncommon for pharmacy contractors to give the brand to the patient if requested, in the past, on a generic prescription...and historically many substance misusers for a variety of reasons preferred the brand, asked for the brand - and got it. 
 
There is a problem now, however, due to the fact that buprenorphine is now in the Drug Tariff - as a category M product - and is significantly cheaper than the brand. Prescribers are reluctant to prescribe the brand due to the cost implications for the NHS and pharmacists must dispense the generic when ordered, or make a huge loss on the transaction.
 
It's sometimes hard to explain such switches to this vulnerable, and often aggressive, group of patients - therefore it's so important that we all work together on this - prescriber, keyworker and pharmacist - to ensure a smooth transition.

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