Indivior confirmed the marketing and sale of its long-acting injectable prescription opioid, Sublocade, will cease in Australia from December 31. An Indivior spokesperson described the withdrawal as a "commercial decision" and said the company intends to work with Australian authorities and experts to ensure an orderly transition.

Sublocade is administered as a monthly injection at a pharmacy or GP clinic. It was added to the pharmaceutical benefits scheme in 2020. Buvidal is an alternative monthly injection available through the scheme.

A federal health department spokesperson said any proposed discontinuation of a medicine can cause concern for patients and clinicians. The spokesperson added that the Australian government cannot compel a company to continue supply.

Brendan Shaw, an adjunct professor at the University of Sydney's pharmacy school and a former chief executive of Medicines Australia, said pharmaceutical companies were increasingly examining the impact on global markets when agreeing to supply cheaper medicines to Australia. Shaw said the US position has caused chaos across the industry and the health sector worldwide. He suspected more drugs might be pulled from the Australian market due to international pressures.

On a snapshot day in 2025, 57,740 Australians were receiving pharmacotherapy treatment for opioid dependence, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Why It Matters

The withdrawal of Sublocade from the Australian market affects patients receiving this long-acting opioid dependence treatment. Indivior cited commercial considerations for its decision, and a federal health department spokesperson noted that the government cannot force a company to maintain supply.