Study Finds Adherence To Extended-Release Buprenorphine Associated With Lower Health Care Costs In Insured Adults With Opioid Use Disorder

April 14, 2026

A new study published in Frontiers in Public Health examined the relationship between adherence to extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-XR) and health care utilization and costs among insured adults with opioid use disorder (OUD).

The retrospective analysis used U.S. commercial and Medicare claims data to evaluate adults who initiated BUP-XR treatment between 2019 and 2022. Researchers assessed adherence using proportion of days covered (PDC) over a 12-month follow-up period and compared outcomes across adherence groups.

The study found that adults who were adherent to BUP-XR (PDC ≥ 0.8) had lower total health care costs, excluding medication costs, compared to patients who were non-adherent to BUP-XR. These cost differences were associated with reduced utilization of high-cost services, including inpatient and emergency department care.

Despite these findings, adherence rates were relatively low. Only 24.7% of those initiating BUP-XR maintained adherence over the 12-month period, highlighting ongoing challenges in sustaining engagement in treatment.

The authors noted that multiple clinical and social factors, such as treatment history, severity of OUD, access to care, and social determinants of health, may influence adherence patterns and overall outcomes.

The authors concluded that improving initiation and long-term adherence to extended-release buprenorphine may reduce the need for high-cost medical services and improve clinical stability for patients with OUD. They also identified a need for additional research to better understand real-world adherence patterns and strategies to improve retention in treatment.

The findings were reported in Association Between Extended-release Buprenorphine Adherence And Reduced Healthcare Costs Among Insured Patients With Opioid Use Disorder by Michelle Jerry, Divya Venkat, Courtney Flynn, and colleagues. The study was published on March 4, 2026, by Frontiers in Public Health.

This was reported by Indivior Pharmaceuticals on March 11, 2026 (accessed April 7, 2026).

For more information, contact: Cassie France-Kelly, Vice President, Communications, Indivior Pharmaceuticals, 10710 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 125, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23235-4776; Email: Indiviormediacontacts@indivior.com; Website: https://www.indivior.com/