WHO updates clinical guidelines for opioid dependence treatment and overdose prevention
Summary
WHO has updated its guidelines on opioid dependence treatment and opioid overdose management. The update reaffirms strong recommendations for opioid agonist maintenance treatment (OAMT) with methadone and oral buprenorphine, and extends guidance to include long-acting injectable buprenorphine (conditional recommendation). The guidelines aim to expand access to evidence-based care, as fewer than 10% of the estimated 64 million people with drug use disorders currently receive treatment. Opioids account for approximately 450,000 of the 600,000 annual drug-related deaths globally. The full guidelines are expected later this year or in early 2027.
Source
Twitter / XWHO updates clinical guidelines for opioid dependence treatment and overdose preventionwho.intKey quotes
· 4 pulledEnsuring that people with opioid dependence—and those at risk of opioid overdose—have access to affordable, ethical, high-quality and evidence-based support and care is essential.
Although an estimated 64 million people worldwide are living with drug use disorders, fewer than 10% currently receive treatment.
WHO reaffirms its recommendation for the opioid agonist maintenance treatment (OAMT)—defined as the administration of rigorously evaluated opioid agonists by accredited professionals within recognized medical practice to people with opioid dependence to achieve defined treatment goals.
WHO now extends its guidance to include new formulations of long-acting injectable buprenorphine (conditional recommendation).
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