THE Therapeutic Goods Administration has granted Camurus approval to market the first long-acting treatment of opioid dependence.
The company's lead products Buvidal Weekly and Buvidal Monthly are indicated for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence within a framework of medical, social and psychosocial support.
Formulated with Camurus' FluidCrystal injection depot technology, Buvidal is a lipid-based solution which, once injected, transforms into a nanostructured gel-like depot.
The depot slowly biodegrades over time, releasing buprenorphine which blocks the drug-liking effect of opioids in the brain and reduces withdrawal, craving and patient's use of illicit opioids.
Professor Nicholas Lintzeris, Director of Drug & Alcohol Services, University of Sydney, said, "The introduction of Buvidal represents the most significant development in over 15 years of opioid dependence treatment in Australia".
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