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Written question asked by Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 3 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 (named day). It was answered by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Buprenorphine: Dorset

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment with the Home Secretary of the potential merits of funding a wider rollout of long-acting Injectable Buprenorphine as a treatment option for people using opioids in Dorset.

Answer

The Department supports the provision of long-acting injectable buprenorphine as an option for those undergoing Opioid Substitution Treatment. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services according to local need, and this includes the provision of long-acting injectable buprenorphine.

In addition to the Public Health Grant, in 2025/26 the Department is providing Dorset Council with £1,469,140 to improve drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services. The Department encourages local authorities to prioritise resourcing long-acting injectable buprenorphine prescribing from this additional funding if current provision is not adequate.

The Department is currently doing more analysis to understand cost-effectiveness and develop clinical guidance, and to scope out how best to expand access to long-acting injectable buprenorphine further.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
87603
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Medical treatments Misuse Opioids Dorset Buprenorphine
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk