Buvidal within secure settings

An Alternative Choice

Up to a half of prisoners are thought to be addicted to drugs of some form1 and one third are thought to have a serious drug dependence issue.2

Despite high numbers of people engaging in opioid dependence treatment in secure settings, data suggests that less than 40% complete treatment successfully.3

Risk of diversion with oral forms of buprenorphine has tended to limit choice for patients in the prison setting.4,5

With Buvidal, patients have an alternative option, bringing treatment more in line with clinical guidelines that promote choice.

Buvidal is injected directly into the subcutaneous tissue and is far less prone to diversion than other forms of ODT, thereby benefitting patients directly in terms of harm reduction and the prison more widely.6

Buvidal is administered weekly or monthly in a private clinical setting. Patients no longer have to queue for daily medication, where they may be exposed to stigma and potential abuse or bullying from other prisoners.6

Less time queuing for medication enables patients to engage with meaningful activity, such as work or education. Some patients also experience a sedative effect on other forms of ODT, which may inhibit levels of engagement.6
The long-acting properties of Buvidal provides an extended window of treatment to patients both within the prison environment itself and during the high-risk period post-release, giving them an opportunity to focus on other immediate needs.6

Buvidal is thought to have the potential to help patients adjust to life beyond the prison gate. By removing the need to frequently attend a drug treatment service or pharmacy, patients may have the opportunity to build prosocial networks. Psychosocial support remains important as part of a patients overall treatment plan.6

With weekly/monthly Buvidal injections, prison healthcare teams spend less time administering ODT, enabling them to focus on other healthcare priorities within the prison estate.7

 

1.https://www.gov.uk/government/news /addiction-crackdown-sees-huge-rise-in-prisoners-getting-clean (10 Feb 2023) accessed April, 2025

2.Department of Health & Social Care – Independent report: Review of drugs part two: prevention, treatment, and recovery (Aug 2021)

3. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Alcohol and drug treatment in secure settings 2023 to 2024: Report published 30 January 2025

4.Mohammed Z et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017;171:122-131. doi:10.1016/J.DRUGALCDEP.2016.11.032

5.Wright NMJ et al, Drug Alcohol Depend. 2014;144:254-258. doi:10.1016/J.DRUGALCDEP.2014.09.775

6.Hearty, P et al. Buvidal implementation in secure environments: a service evaluation of the Spectrum Community Health pilot sites (available below)

7.Sayers C, Mogford D, Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation 2025:16 83–93

More information can be found in the Spectrum Service Evaluation Summary

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Helping prison healthcare providers implement Buvidal

Our team are available to support service providers and healthcare teams introduce Buvidal within the secure environment. We provide training, resources and advice on all aspects of implementation including:

  • Business case development
  • Commissioning
  • Project planning
  • HCP and keyworker training
  • Medical information support

Download our Project Planning Tool which gives step-by-step guidance on key things service providers may need to consider when implementing Buvidal in the secure setting.

Project Planning Tool

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