A drug for opioid dependence that is inserted under a person’s skin and lasts for six months is a positive addition to the array of existing treatment options, says Seonid Nolan, an addictions medicine doctor at St. Paul’s Hospital.
The matchstick-sized rods, which contain the drug Suboxone, are implanted by physicians under the skin of the arms.
Dr. Nolan, also a clinical researcher with the BC Centre on Substance Use, said the implant is useful because no “one size fits all” when it comes to treating opioid dependence . The therapy, which goes under the brand name Probuphine, has been approved by Health Canada. Read more about Probuphine and Dr. Nolan’s thoughts here.
