Why is there a buprenorphine shortage? A multifaceted look at supply chain and access issues
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5 min read
According to a 2025 study from USC's Schaeffer Center, only about 39.4% of U.S. pharmacies had buprenorphine available in 2023, leaving many patients wondering, "Why is there a buprenorphine shortage?". This critical issue affects access for people with opioid use disorder (OUD), impacting continuity of care and overall treatment success.