The World Health Organization has rolled out updated recommendations aimed at strengthening the treatment of opioid dependence and improving how communities respond to overdose cases.
In a statement, the global health body stressed that opioid addiction remains a leading driver of illness and death worldwide. It revealed that about 316 million people used drugs in 2023, with roughly 61 million involved in the non-medical use of opioids.
Opioids, the organisation noted, continue to bear the heaviest burden of drug-related health complications, including fatal overdoses. Out of an estimated 600,000 drug-related deaths globally, approximately 450,000 are linked to opioid use.
The agency underscored the urgent need to expand access to care, stating that ensuring individuals battling opioid dependence, as well as those vulnerable to overdose, receive affordable, ethical, high-quality, and evidence-based treatment is critical.
Despite an estimated 64 million people living with drug use disorders globally, fewer than 10 per cent currently have access to treatment, highlighting a significant care gap.
To bridge this divide, WHO periodically reviews and refines its clinical guidelines, with the latest update focused on boosting access to effective interventions and reducing overdose fatalities through evidence-driven strategies.
The organisation explained that the revised recommendations were developed through a meticulous evaluation process, weighing benefits against potential harms, while also considering cost-effectiveness, equity, feasibility, and patient preferences.
Experts from the Guideline Development Group (GDG) examined extensive data from systematic reviews covering both quantitative and qualitative research, leading to the refinement of existing protocols and the introduction of new measures.
A key highlight of the updated guidance is the continued endorsement of opioid agonist maintenance treatment (OAMT), a medically supervised approach involving the administration of carefully evaluated opioid agonists by accredited professionals to help patients achieve specific recovery goals.
While maintaining strong backing for treatments such as methadone and oral buprenorphine, the WHO has now broadened its scope to include long-acting injectable buprenorphine, issuing it as a conditional recommendation.
The guidelines are currently undergoing final stages of peer review under the supervision of the WHO Guidelines Review Committee. Full publication is expected later this year or in early 2027.
According to the statement, the final document will provide comprehensive recommendations, detailed evidence analysis, implementation strategies, identified research gaps, and other critical insights to guide countries in tackling the opioid crisis more effectively.
