Buprenorphine: Prescribing by Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to assist in medication assisted treatment programs and need to be aware of a change in prescribing rights regarding buprenorphine for maintenance or detoxification treatment of opioid additions.

Section 303 of the Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act (CARA) was signed into law on July 22, 2016, and made several changes to the law regarding office-based opioid addiction treatment with buprenorphine. One major change was that it expanded prescribing privileges to nurse practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) for five years (through October 1, 2021).

NPs and PAs who completed 24 hours of required training may seek to obtain a waiver for up to 30 patients. To qualify for the waiver, NPs and PAs must:

• Be licensed under state law to prescribe Schedule III, IV or V medications for pain;
• Complete not less than 24 hours of appropriate education through a qualified provider; and
• Demonstrate the ability to treat and manage Opioid Use Disorder through other training or experience.

When presented with a prescription for Buprenorphine, pharmacists should verify that the NPs and PAs are qualified to do so. Click here to verify prescribers in your neighborhood.