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Researchers Say Opioid Addiction Drug Hard to Find at U.S. Pharmacies
Buprenorphine was available at only 39% of U.S. pharmacies in 2023, with availability four to five times lower in Black and Latino neighborhoods, highlighting systemic access disparities.
- On September 2, 2025, researchers revealed that despite the removal of certain prescribing restrictions in 2023, less than half of retail pharmacies across the United States stocked buprenorphine.
- This limited availability persists partly because pharmacy regulations intended to prevent opioid abuse may discourage pharmacies from stocking buprenorphine due to fear of DEA scrutiny.
- Pharmacies located in minority communities, particularly in states such as California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, were found to stock buprenorphine at rates approximately four to five times lower than those in predominantly white neighborhoods.
- Senior researcher Dima Mazen Qato noted that although easing restrictions on buprenorphine prescriptions has helped improve availability of this vital medication, a significant number of patients still do not have a pharmacy nearby that stocks it.
- The findings suggest that policymakers must reduce barriers for pharmacies to stock buprenorphine and consider requiring its availability to improve equitable access and address treatment disparities.
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It's Still Tough to Find a Key Anti-Opioid Treatment at U.S. Pharmacies
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·Missoula, United States
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Critical opioid addiction treatment hard to find at pharmacies
Only about 1 in 3 pharmacies across the country are able to fill prescriptions for a critical treatment option for opioid addiction, according to a new study from the University of Southern California. Researchers at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics found that only 39% of pharmacies in the United States were... The post Critical opioid addiction treatment hard to find at pharmacies appeared first on Daily Truth Report • …
Coverage Details
Total News Sources21
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Center
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
45% Center
L 27%
C 45%
R 27%
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