Abstract
Abstract: The aim of this Policy Watch column is to provide an update on a much anticipated legislation, enacted in 2016, which enabled office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) with buprenorphine prescribing for the treatment of opioid addiction by nurse practitioners (as well as physician assistants). First, an overview of the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000, which only permitted OBOT prescribing by physicians, will be described. It will be followed by a summary of the Recovery Enhancement for Addiction Treatment Act of 2015-2016. Finally, a review of the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act of 2016 will be provided, which includes information about important changes to OBOT regulations that enable NP prescribing of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid addiction.