The number of prescriptions for the opioid addiction treatment drug buprenorphine for people on Medicaid in New Hampshire has more than quadrupled since 2011, according to a new report.
The report from the Urban Institute shows that in 2011, about 8,000 prescriptions for buprenorphine were written for people on Medicaid in New Hampshire.
By 2018, that number reached 32,000, making New Hampshire one of the states with the highest rates of buprenorphine prescriptions compared to its Medicaid population.
Still, the report shows Vermont's Medicaid population is receiving buprenorphine prescriptions at almost five times the rate as New Hampshire, suggesting there is still a large demand for opioid addiction treatment in this state that's not being met.
Buprenorphine along with counseling is one of three FDA approved medicines for opioid-addiction treatment.
