Suboxone is a medication used for the treatment of opiate addiction. This medication is a combination of buprenorphine, which is an opioid medication, and naloxone, which inhibits the effects of opiates. According to the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000), physicians must meet certain criteria in order to prescribe this medication for treatment of opiate dependence. Once the physician meets all criteria, he is assigned a special identification number that must be included on all suboxone prescriptions.
Board Certification
In order for a physician to prescribe suboxone, she must hold at least one board certification. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a qualified physician is certified in addiction psychiatry from the American Board of Medical Specialties, holds an addiction certification from the American Osteopathic Association, or holds certification from the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
Education
Physicians must complete certain educational requirements in order to prescribe suboxone. These educational requirements can be obtained through several different methods. Physicians may choose complete at least eight hours of formal training through classes, seminars or meetings that are provided specifically by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, or the American Psychiatric Association. The educational requirement is also met if the physician participated as an investigator in a clinical trial that led to the approval of a narcotic drug for maintenance or detoxification treatment. The physician can also meet the requirement if he has other training that demonstrates the ability to treat and manage patients with opioid dependence.
Physican Practice Requirements
A physician's practice must also comply with certain regulations in order to be able to provide suboxone. The physician must be able to provide specific ancillary services, such as psychosocial therapy, or be able to refer a patient to a facility that provides such services. In addition, a physician's private practice or group practice must agree to treat no more than 30 suboxone therapy patients at one time during the first year of licensing. After the initial year, the physician is able to re-submit with the need and intent, and obtain privileges to treat up to 100 patients.
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