Opioid Drugs in Maintenance and Detoxification Treatment of Opiate Addiction; Addition of Buprenorphine and Buprenorphine Combination to List of Approved Opioid Treatment Medications

This interim final rule amends the Federal opioid treatment program regulations by adding buprenorphine and buprenorphine combination products to the list of approved opioid treatment medications that may be used in federally certified and registered opioid treatment programs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Subutex[reg] (buprenorphine) and Suboxone[reg] (buprenorphine in fixed combination with naloxone) for the treatment of opiate dependence. These two products will join methadone and ORLAAM[reg] as medications that may be used in opioid treatment programs for the maintenance and detoxification treatment of opioid dependence. Opioid treatment programs that choose to use these new products in the treatment of opioid dependence will adhere to the same Federal treatment standards established for methadone and ORLAAM[reg]. The Secretary invites public comments on this action.