Making Naloxone OTC Doesn’t Go Far Enough

April 18, 2023

Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of naloxone, a drug commonly known as Narcan that reverses opioid overdoses instantly. The move was hailed by patient advocates, but many feel that OTC access is not enough to get the drug in the hands of those who need it. One key sticking point is the high cost per dose for name brand Narcan.

According to Jonathan JK Stoltman and Misha Terplan, “Prior reporting has found that the medication costs approximately 5 cents to manufacture, but it can cost as much as $150. This for a drug that was developed primarily with extensive support from our tax dollars and public investment through the NIH. There was a time when it seemed that generics would lower the price of naloxone. In 2021, the FDA approved two generic nasal naloxone products. Available generic products are widely considered an important step toward lower prices, and analysts had expected a 20%-30% discount, yet generic nasal naloxone formulations launched at only about 5% less than name-brand Narcan.”

To read more, click here.