Correctional Service Canada (CSC) recently changed the OAT medications available to people in federal prisons.
As of October 1, 2025, Suboxone is no longer part of CSC’s National Formulary. Suboxone has been replaced by Sublocade as the first-line treatment option for opioid use disorder (OUD).
If you are on Suboxone, you will be asked to switch to Sublocade. Sublocade is given as an injection once a month. Methadone remains on the National Formulary as a second-line option. This usually means a doctor can prescribe methadone if Sublocade is not clinically appropriate for medical reasons.
There is a six-month transition period for this new policy, which lasts until April 1, 2026. During the transition period, you should not be forced to switch before you are ready. If you are already on methadone, you should be able to stay on it. You should not be forced to switch to Sublocade.
If you want to stay on Suboxone, your CSC doctor will have to get an exemption for you. If your CSC doctor agrees that you should remain on Suboxone, they can apply for an individual exemption for you. There is more information in this booklet about how to ask for this.
Read the full booklet