Bicycle Health, a telemedicine treatment provider for opioid use disorder, partnered with Albertsons pharmacies, expanding prescription access in 17 states and 700 pharmacies.
Buprenorphine extended release monthly injection — also known as Sublocade — is a partial opioid agonist that has been successful in reducing drug overdoses, ER visits and healthcare costs. Bicycle Health patients can now fill these prescriptions in Albertsons' pharmacies, providing an alternative to taking oral Suboxone every day, according to an Aug. 31 press release from Bicycle Health.
Individuals struggling with opioid use disorder can use the Bicycle Health app to connect with an addiction medicine specialist. The specialist can provide a diagnosis and prescribe medication virtually, and the patient can receive the injection in person at a participating Albertsons' pharmacy.
The partnership expanded Sublocade access to Albertson pharmacies in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington, and the organizations plan on adding additional states in the future, according to the report.