The Socioeconomic Impact of Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine

To assess the socioeconomic impact of increased uptake of long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in England.

A cost-benefit analysis was conducted from a societal perspective over a one-year time horizon. An economic model compared existing standard of care for OUD with a scenario in which a proportion of individuals switched to LAIB and additional individuals not currently in treatment initiated care with LAIB, based on uptake and retention assumptions. Areas of impact (e.g., crime, healthcare, and employment) were identified and quantified using a targeted literature review and published unit cost estimates.

Assuming approximately 30,000 people could receive LAIB, the annual cost is estimated at £77 million, while the projected benefits total £236 million, resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 3.1. The greatest savings are expected to be derived from reductions in crime and incarceration, followed by socioeconomic gains through increased employment, improved quality of life, prevented fatalities, decreased healthcare burden, and reduced social care costs.

Despite higher acquisition costs than current standard treatments, LAIB was estimated to be cost-beneficial, with potential to improve outcomes for individuals while generating substantial value for society.