Key Takeaways

One of the most effective opioid addiction medications is still hard to find at U.S. pharmacies

Only 2 in 5 retail pharmacies carry buprenorphine

Even fewer pharmacies in minority neighborhoods stock the medication

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 3, 2025 (HealthDay News) — One of the most effective medications for treating opioid addiction is still hard to find at U.S. pharmacies, according to a new study.

Only 2 in 5 retail pharmacies carried buprenorphine in 2023, researchers reported Sept. 2 in the journal Health Affairs .

And pharmacies in minority neighborhoods are even less likely to have buprenorphine on hand, results showed.

This lack of availability remains despite efforts to increase access to buprenorphine, researchers noted.

“Relaxing buprenorphine prescribing rule

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