Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2018 to Question 176027 on Buprenorphine, if he will take steps to ensure that the price of buprenorphine returns to more affordable levels.

The increased purchase price of buprenorphine is reflected in the reimbursement price paid to pharmacies, to ensure that supplies remain available to patients. The market for buprenorphine has generally been competitive and we expect the supply situation to improve over the coming weeks which is likely to result in an increasingly competitive market. The Department continues to monitor this very closely.