Reports Outline Opioids Findings from University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Buprenorphine dosing patterns and treatment outcomes for patients with opioid use disorder insured by Medicaid in Philadelphia): Opioids

2026 JAN 21 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Researchers detail new data in Opioids. According to news originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a significant public health challenge, exacerbated by the rise of potent, synthetic opioids like fentanyl in the illicit drug supply. Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, is an evidence-based treatment for OUD.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, “While evidence suggests that higher buprenorphine doses (>16 mg/day) improve treatment retention and reduce overdose, many providers hesitate to prescribe these doses. This study analyzed buprenorphine dosing patterns and treatment outcomes among Medicaid-insured individuals with OUD in Philadelphia from 2017 to 2023. Data were obtained from Community Behavioral Health (CBH), Philadelphia’s Medicaid behavioral health managed care organization. The study included individuals with OUD who received buprenorphine through a prescription filled by a pharmacy, and are grouped into 3 dosage groups: 8 mg, 9-16 mg, and 17-24 mg. We examined demographic characteristics, co-occurring conditions, and outcomes such as emergency department visits and detoxification and rehabilitation stays across these dosage groups. We identified 5760 individuals with OUD who were prescribed buprenorphine in 2023. The proportion of prescriptions for 17-24 mg doses increased from 12.05 % in 2017 to 40.51 % in 2023 (p < 0.0001). Higher doses were associated with improved treatment outcomes compared to those on lower doses: individuals on higher dosing levels were less likely to have detoxification and rehabilitation stays (39.16 % for 17-24 mg; 60.75 % for 8 mg and 49.93 % for 9-16 mg; (p < 0.0001) and were more likely to remain in care (90.2 vs. 205.3 days of buprenorphine supplied on <8 mg vs. >24 mg, respectively, (p < 0.0001). Black individuals were more likely to receive lower doses compared to white patients. Higher buprenorphine doses are associated with better treatment outcomes, including reduced detoxification and rehabilitation stays. Racial disparities in dosing highlight the need for equitable access to evidence-based OUD treatment.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Addressing provider hesitancy and systemic barriers to higher doses is crucial in improving outcomes, particularly in the context of fentanyl-contaminated drug supplies.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Buprenorphine dosing patterns and treatment outcomes for patients with opioid use disorder insured by Medicaid in Philadelphia. Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 2026;183:209879. Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment can be contacted at: Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA.

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Rachel French, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, 418 Curie Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States. Additional authors for this research include Emily Lorenc, Oluwatoyin Fadeyibi, Jewell Johnson, Suet Lim, Charles Altman, Samuel Williams, Lisa Shen and Molly Candon.

The publisher’s contact information for the Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment is: Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA.

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