Commentary on Schmidt et al.: Informed patient preference and prioritizing access to medications for opioid use disorder for pregnant individuals

Abstract

Leveraging currently available evidence to inform patient preference and support quick, effective interventions is crucial for prioritizing access to opioid use disorder pharmacotherapy for pregnant individuals. Schmidt and colleagues [1] conducted an interrupted time-seriesanalysis to examine the relationship between three events and the monthly prevalence of pregnant individuals dispensed methadone and buprenorphine. These events were: (1) the addition of buprenorphine-naloxone to the public drug formulary (therefore increasing access and reducing out-of-pocket cost requirements);(2) the release of clinical guidance recommending the buprenorphine mono-product for pregnant individuals and (3) the onset of the