FOI 2026/1598

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request information regarding the use of prolonged-release buprenorphine (Buvidal) within your service.

Specifically, I request:

1. Whether Buvidal is currently commissioned or used within your services.

2. The clinical settings in which it is used (e.g. community drug services, prisons).

3. The existence of any local service agreements or commissioning arrangements relating to Buvidal.

If possible I’d also be grateful to receive:

4. Data on patient numbers and total annual spend related to Buvidal for the last two financial years.

5. Any local clinical protocols or guidance documents governing its use.

1. – 3. NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) does not hold the information requested. NHS GM are not the responsible commissioner for substance misuse services. Commissioning of Greater Manchester locality drug and alcohol services sits with the Local Authority Public Health teams. Additionally, NHS England is the responsible commissioner for prisons, and services within including substance misuse service.

In line with section 16 – advise and assist, please find below links to the 10 Greater Manchester Local Authorities and NHS England, and information about how to make a Freedom of Information request.

Bolton Council Freedom of Information – Bolton Council

Bury Council Freedom of Information request – Bury Council

Rochdale Borough Council About Freedom of Information requests | Freedom of Information request | Rochdale Borough Council

Manchester Council Freedom of Information | Freedom of Information | Manchester City Council

Oldham Council Freedom of information | Freedom of information | Oldham Council

Salford Council Freedom of Information Act•Salford City Council

Stockport Council Freedom of information – Stockport Council

Tameside Council Freedom of information requests (FOI) | Trafford Council

Trafford Council Freedom of Information (trafford.gov.uk)

Wigan Council Freedom of Information (wigan.gov.uk)

NHS England NHS England » Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations

4. The total cost of Buvidal items dispensed within Greater Manchester ICB for the two financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25 was £46,099.

These figures are for primary care prescribing only on FP10 prescriptions and do not include any prescribing within prisons. Prescribing within prisons is under commissioning responsibility of NHS England (please refer to the response to questions 1-3 for the link to their website).

It is not possible to provide the patient count as the patient identifier is not available in prescribing data. This information may be available from individual GM Councils (please refer to the response to questions 1-3 for the link to their website).

5. Please refer to the response to question 1-3.