Addiction implant drug awaiting final FDA approval

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. (WPVI) -- The F-D-A could give the final OK soon to a new treatment for opioid addiction.

Probuphine is a long-acting version of a widely-used addiction drug.

"They're implantable rods that contain medication, and they slowly release an amount of medication over 6 months, so there's new need to be constantly taking something every day," says Dr. Michael Frost, an addiction specialist in Conshohocken involved in trials of the new drug.

Dr. Frost says Probuphine is implanted under the arm, like a popular birth control device.

It's aimed at patients who don't need frequent dose adjustments.

And it's less likely to be abused or misused.

"The amount of medication they contain is actually far less than they would have if they were taking the equivalent in pill form every day," says Dr. Frost.

The same implant technology could be used for drugs for other conditions.