International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Aligning Addiction Policy With Physiological Safety: The “Renal Trap” of Opioid Maintenance Therapy in Vulnerable Patients

Articles in Press

Document Type : Viewpoint

Authors
Mohammad Moshiri 1
Reza Salehi Manzari 2
Bita Dadpour 1
Hamid Reza Fathi 3
1 Medical Toxicology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Kidney Transplantation Complications Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Keywords
Opioid Maintenance Therapy
Morphine
Aging Population
Nephrotoxicity
Health Policy

Introduction: Cultural Acceptance and the Misconception of Safety

Opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) for opioid use disorder is globally dominated by methadone and buprenorphine as firstline agents, supported by robust evidence and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, morphinebased formulations—though not standard treatment—persist in specific contexts: Slow-release oral morphine serves as a third-line alternative in some countries for patients who fail or cannot tolerate conventional agents.1 ...(Read more...)

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International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 22 August 2026

  • Received Date 13 February 2026
  • Revised Date 04 August 2026
  • Accepted Date 09 August 2026
  • First Published Date 22 August 2026
  • Published Date 22 August 2026