What does a prescriber need to dispense buprenorphine?

To dispense buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, a prescriber must obtain a waiver from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in addition to having a special DEA registration that includes an "X" designation. This requirement ensures that the prescriber has received specific training and is compliant with regulations designed to safely and effectively manage the treatment of opioid addiction.

The "X" DEA registration demonstrates that the prescriber has fulfilled the necessary criteria set forth by SAMHSA, which includes undergoing training and following prescribed protocols for the use of buprenorphine in a treatment setting. Regular DEA registration alone is insufficient for prescribing or dispensing buprenorphine as a treatment for opioid dependency, which is why simply relying on that would not meet federal requirements.

State licenses alone do not provide the authorization needed for the specific treatment of opioid use disorder with buprenorphine, and without the waiver and special registration, prescribers are limited to using buprenorphine for pain management only, which doesn't require the same level of oversight and training. Thus, obtaining the appropriate waiver and registration is critical for compliance with both federal and state laws regarding the treatment of opioid addiction.