The Socioeconomic Impact of Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine

Rasche, SE, Batchelor, GOW, Montgomery, C ORCID: 0000-0003-2805-5807, Sumnall, HR ORCID: 0000-0002-7841-9245 and Mogford, D ORCID: 0000-0002-2172-5460 (2026) The Socioeconomic Impact of Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine. ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research, 18. pp. 1-12. ISSN 1178-6981

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Abstract

Purpose: To assess the socioeconomic impact of increased uptake of long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in England.
Materials and Methods: A cost–benefit analysis was conducted from a societal perspective over a one-year time horizon. An economic model compared existing standard of care for OUD with a scenario in which a proportion of individuals switched to LAIB and additional individuals not currently in treatment initiated care with LAIB, based on uptake and retention assumptions. Areas of impact (e.g., crime, healthcare, and employment) were identified and quantified using a targeted literature review and published unit cost estimates.
Results: Assuming approximately 30,000 people could receive LAIB, the annual cost is estimated at £ 77 million, while the projected benefits total £ 236 million, resulting in a benefit–cost ratio of 3.1. The greatest savings are expected to be derived from reductions in crime and incarceration, followed by socioeconomic gains through increased employment, improved quality of life, prevented fatalities, decreased healthcare burden, and reduced social care costs.
Conclusion: Despite higher acquisition costs than current standard treatments, LAIB was estimated to be cost-beneficial, with potential to improve outcomes for individuals while generating substantial value for society.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1117 Public Health and Health Services; 3801 Applied economics; 4203 Health services and systems; 4407 Policy and administration
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis Group
Date of acceptance:	3 April 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	21 May 2026
Date Deposited:	21 May 2026 13:50
Last Modified:	21 May 2026 13:50
DOI or ID number:	10.2147/ceor.s590462
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28611

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