I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the commissioning and use of long-acting injectable buprenorphine (Buvidal) within your drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services. Please provide the following information for the financial years 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25 (and 2025/26 where available):

1. COMMISSIONING AND POLICY
a) Does your current contract with your drug and alcohol treatment provider(s) include provision for Buvidal (long-acting injectable buprenorphine)? Please provide a yes/no answer for each financial year.
2022/23: No
2023/24: No
2024/25: No
b) If yes, when was Buvidal first included as a funded treatment option within your commissioned services?
2022/23: N/A
2023/24: N/A
2024/25: N/A
c) Does your council have a written policy, clinical pathway, or formulary decision regarding Buvidal? If so, please provide a copy or summary.
2022/23: No
2023/24: No
2024/25: No

2. EXPENDITURE
a) What was the total expenditure on Buvidal within your commissioned drug and alcohol treatment services in each financial year?
2022/23: £0.00
2023/24: £16,455.97
2024/25: £23,715.53
b) From which budget line(s) was this expenditure drawn (e.g. Public Health Grant, SSMTRG, DATRIG, or other)?
2022/23: N/A
2023/24: Public Health Grant
2024/25: SSMTRG & public health grant

3. PATIENT NUMBERS
a) How many patients were initiated on Buvidal in each financial year?
2022/23: 9
2023/24: 10
2024/25: 6
b) What proportion of your total opioid substitution therapy (OST) caseload does this represent?
2022/23: 3.86%
2023/24: 4.69%
2024/25: 2.67%

4. BARRIERS AND DECISION-MAKING
a) Has your council or your commissioned provider(s) conducted any formal review or assessment of Buvidal as a treatment option? If so, please provide any written outputs from this review.
2022/23: No
2023/24: No
2024/25: No
b) Are there any documented reasons why Buvidal has not been commissioned or expanded, if applicable?
2022/23: funding restrictions
2023/24: funding restrictions
2024/25: funding restrictions