This guidance draws on the international research literature. It is recognised that this is a developing evidence base, and that this update incorporates new evidence since the guidance was first published in 2003. Further updates will also be required as there are some areas of clinical practice with buprenorphine for which, up to now, there is limited or no direct evidence available.

To address these evidence gaps, this document draws upon the clinical experience of experts in the field from primary and secondary care, involving discussion with international2 and national colleagues3. It also draws upon parallels from conventional methadone practice.