Online Seminar | Experiences of and outcomes for Blackpool adults treated with Buvidal opioid substitution therapy.

Background to award:

Blackpool Local Authority in the north of England experiences very high rates of drug misuse, drug crime and drug-related deaths. Buvidal (Buprenorphine prolonged-release injection) is a new injection treatment for people who are dependent on heroin. It is a form of ‘opioid substitution therapy’. There is very limited evidence on Buvidal use in community settings, but it may be of benefit for those who find it difficult to attend for daily supervised medication. This research evaluates the outcomes of Buvidal from the perspectives of service users in order to add to the body of evidence on this medication and to decide whether it is a cost-effective treatment for people with heroin dependence locally. This presentation will describe the findings from the mixed-method study, using qualitative interviews (around 20 participants) and administrative data to explore the outcomes of this intervention. With this work, we have generated evidence to help policymakers to decide on the rollout of this medication in other communities. We offer an understanding of what those who use Buvidal appreciate about the medication and the way it is given, and about what can be improved.