FORE and Yale Launch National Methadone Access Commission with $917K Grant
Event summary
- FORE awarded $917,027 to Yale University to establish the National Methadone Access and Quality Commission (NMAQC).
- The Commission, chaired by David Fiellin, MD, aims to improve access to methadone treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).
- Only 1 in 5 individuals who could benefit from medication treatment for OUD currently receive it.
- Methadone can reduce the risk of fatal overdose by 50 percent but faces stigma and regulatory barriers.
- The Commission will examine patient experience, regulatory barriers, clinical standards, workforce development, financing, and treatment delivery models.
The big picture
The establishment of the National Methadone Access and Quality Commission underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing the opioid crisis, particularly the underutilization of evidence-based treatments like methadone. With only 1 in 5 individuals receiving necessary medication treatment, the Commission's work could drive significant shifts in policy and clinical practice, potentially expanding access to life-saving care. FORE's strategic grantmaking continues to focus on patient-centered solutions, reflecting broader industry efforts to combat the opioid epidemic through innovative and collaborative approaches.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Barriers
- How the Commission's recommendations will impact regulatory changes to improve methadone access.
- Patient Experience
- Whether the Commission's focus on patient experience will lead to meaningful improvements in treatment delivery.
- Policy Influence
- The pace at which the Commission's findings will be adopted into national policy and health system practice.