Table 3 Summary of the key features of the prolonged-release buprenorphine depot injection product concept presented to participants

Overview: provided for the treatment of opioid dependence.

Effectiveness: designed to help reduce withdrawal, craving, and patients’ use of illicit opioids.

Duration: available as weekly and monthly depot injections.

Dosage: designed to deliver a set dose every day; medication dose can be ‘topped up’ if needed; dose reductions are only possible at the end of the week/month; there is the option to move between weekly and monthly injections.

Administration: under the skin (subcutaneous) injection into the patient’s arm, buttock, stomach, or thigh by a healthcare professional.

Potential side effects: comparable to daily sublingual buprenorphine, except for mild to moderate injection site reactions (e.g., pain, itching, red skin, swelling, lump around the injection site).

Service attendance: no need for supervised daily dosing; may only need to attend a clinic or pharmacy on the day of the injection, either once a week or once a month.