Methadone Versus Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
Both methadone and buprenorphine are considered first-line medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with a demonstrated reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with opioid use disorder (OUD). This fact sheet is intended to explain the uses of methadone versus buprenorphine in treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Despite similar benefits, there may be instances where one form of MOUD is clinically preferred over another. Methadone and buprenorphine differ in accessibility due to the regulations surrounding the provision of methadone for OUD, impacting the ability to access this life-saving treatment. AAPP supports the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access (M-OTAA) act which would allow addiction specialist physicians to prescribe methadone for OUD that can be dispensed from retail pharmacies. Read more about the arguments for M-OTAA at the ASAM website (an AAPP partner).
Protect 340B Drug Pricing Program
This fact sheet urges the continuation of the 340B drug pricing program as a means to sustain and expand access to high quality psychiatric pharmacy patient care services, including comprehensive medication management. Psychiatric pharmacists improve access to care, optimize medication outcomes and reduce health care costs and the savings leveraged from 340B savings is an important and way to pay for those services.
Enact Telehealth Reform
This fact sheet urges Congress to take action on permanent telehealth reform by removing restrictions on medicare beneficiary access to mental and behavioral health services provided via telehealth, removing restrictions on the location of the patient and provider, allowing telephonic (audio-only) services for mental health and substance use disorder services, and by continuing payment parity for telehealth services.