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ATC N07BC01 · Drugs Used in Opioid Dependence · updated 4 Nov 2026

Buprenorphine shortage

As of 4 Nov 2026, Buprenorphine has a reported shortage in 4 of the 16 countries we track (Italy, Czechia, Norway, Sweden), covering 12 products from 6 companies.

Is there a Buprenorphine shortage?

Yes. As of 4 Nov 2026, Buprenorphine is reported short in 4 of the 16 countries we track: Italy, Czechia, Norway, Sweden. The earliest expected return is 5 Nov 2026 (Sweden). 2 of 12 affected products have no return date. New since 5 Oct 2026: Norway.

Countries4/16
Products12packs or presentations
Companies63 listed
Short since21 Feb 20224.7 years ago
Earliest return5 Nov 2026company estimate
Main reasonNot stated
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United StatesNo reported shortageCanadaNo reported shortageGermanyNo reported shortageFranceNo reported shortageItaly2 products shortSpainNo reported shortageIrelandNo reported shortageAustriaNo reported shortageBelgiumNo reported shortageSwitzerlandNo reported shortageCzechia2 products shortNorway2 products shortSweden6 products shortJapanNo reported shortageNew ZealandNo reported shortageAustraliaNo reported shortage

How the shortage spread

All cross-border shortages

Countries in the order the shortage started there (earliest start date of a product still short). First reported in Italy on 21 Feb 2022; most recently in Norway on 27 Jul 2026.

Not on the official list in: United States, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, Australia.

Timeline

ItalyCzechiaNorwaySweden
2023202420252026BUPRENORFINA SUNBUPRENORFINA SUNBUPRENORFINA SUNBUPRENORFINA SUNBUPRENORPHINE ALKALOID 2MG 2MG SLG TBL NOB 7BUPRENORPHINE ALKALOID 2MG 2MG SLG TBL NOB 7BUPRENORPHINE ALKALOID 8MG 8MG SLG TBL NOB 7BUPRENORPHINE ALKALOID 8MG 8MG SLG TBL NOB 7Espranor 2 mg lyofilisattablett, 7 x 1 stk eEspranor 2 mg lyofilisattablett, 7 x 1 stk endoseblisterpakningBuprenorphine Orifarm 8 mg sublingvaltablettBuprenorphine Orifarm 8 mg sublingvaltablett, 28 stk blisterpakningBuprenorphine Sandoz 2 mg Blister, 28 tabletBuprenorphine Sandoz 2 mg Blister, 28 tabletterBuprenorfin Actavis 2 mg Blister, 28 resoribBuprenorfin Actavis 2 mg Blister, 28 resoribletter (Al)Buprenorphine Orifarm 2 mg Blister, 7 tabletBuprenorphine Orifarm 2 mg Blister, 7 tablettertoday

Solid bars run from the reported start to today; faded bars show the time left until the expected return. An arrow means no return date was given.

Which companies are short

products short, all countries
Teva3 TEVASun Pharma2 SUNPHARMAAlkaloid -2Ethypharm2Orifarm2Sandoz1 SDZ

Listed: Sun Pharma SUNPHARMA · NSE, Sandoz SDZ · SIX Swiss, Teva TEVA · NYSE / TASE

Compared with similar medicines

ATC group N07BC · Drugs Used in Opioid Dependence
Buprenorphine4/16Buprenorphine, Combinations4/16Methadone4/16Levomethadone2/16

Affected products

CountryProductCompanySinceExpected backReason
ITBUPRENORFINA SUNSUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES (EUROPE) B.V.21 Feb 2022not givenIncreased demand
Elevata richiesta/problemi produttivi: forniture discontinue
ITBUPRENORFINA SUNSUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES (EUROPE) B.V.28 Aug 2023not givenIncreased demand
Elevata richiesta
CZBUPRENORPHINE ALKALOID 2MG 2MG SLG TBL NOB 7Alkaloid - INT d.o.o., Ljubljana - Črnuče17 Dec 20251 Jan 2027Commercial decision or withdrawal
Obchodní/marketingové důvody
CZBUPRENORPHINE ALKALOID 8MG 8MG SLG TBL NOB 7Alkaloid - INT d.o.o., Ljubljana - Črnuče17 Dec 20251 Jan 2027Commercial decision or withdrawal
Obchodní/marketingové důvody
NOEspranor 2 mg lyofilisattablett, 7 x 1 stk endoseblisterpakningEthypharm27 Jul 202613 Nov 2026Increased demand
Uventet økt etterspørsel
NOBuprenorphine Orifarm 8 mg sublingvaltablett, 28 stk blisterpakningOrifarm Generics (3)23 Oct 202630 Nov 2026Distribution or logistics
Distribusjonsproblemer
SEBuprenorphine Sandoz 2 mg Blister, 28 tabletterSandoz A/S11 May 20265 Nov 2026Not stated
SEBuprenorfin Actavis 2 mg Blister, 28 resoribletter (Al)Actavis Group PTC ehf.25 May 202620 Nov 2026Not stated
SEBuprenorphine Orifarm 2 mg Blister, 7 tabletterOrifarm Generics A/S1 Jul 202631 Dec 2026Not stated
SEBuprenorfin Actavis 8 mg Blister, 7 resoribletter (Al) anticipatedActavis Group PTC ehf.15 Dec 20265 May 2027Not stated
SEBuprenorfin Actavis 8 mg Blister, 28 resoribletter (Al) anticipatedActavis Group PTC ehf.21 Dec 20265 May 2027Not stated
SEEspranor 8 mg Blister, 7 tabletter (endos) anticipatedEthypharm SA1 Jan 202731 Mar 2027Not stated

"Expected back" is the date the company gave the authority, when it gave one. Ask a pharmacist about alternatives.

Questions

Is there a Buprenorphine shortage?

Yes. As of 4 Nov 2026, Buprenorphine is reported short in 4 of the 16 countries we track: Italy, Czechia, Norway, Sweden. The earliest expected return is 5 Nov 2026 (Sweden). 2 of 12 affected products have no return date. New since 5 Oct 2026: Norway.

When will Buprenorphine be back in stock?

Companies expect supply back from 5 Nov 2026 in Sweden; Italy: no date given; Czechia: 1 Jan 2027; Norway: 13 Nov 2026; Sweden: 5 Nov 2026. These are company estimates reported to each authority.

Why is Buprenorphine in short supply?

The most common reason reported is: not stated. Reasons by product are listed in the table below.

Which companies have Buprenorphine shortages?

Teva, Sun Pharma, Alkaloid -, Ethypharm, Orifarm, Sandoz.