Dadiomov, D., Trotzky-Sirr, R., Shooshtari, A., & Qato, D. M. (2022). Changes in the availability of medications for opioid use disorder in prisons and jails in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drug and alcohol dependence, 232, 109291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109291 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35033953/ 

This study looked at how COVID-19 affected MOUD accessibility in U.S. prisons and jails. This study utilized monthly data from the IQVIA National Sales Perspective (NSP) to see how many units of medication were purchased by prison and jail facilities. From January 2018 – October 2020, MOUD availability increased by 471.3%. The main increase was in buprenorphine/naloxone. 

Bottom Line: During the COVID-19 pandemic, MOUD accessibility has increased in U.S. prisons and jails by 471.3%.