Opioid Overdose Drug Narcan Gets FDA Approval to Go OTC
February 16, 2023
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted unanimously yesterday, February 15th, to approve the over-the-counter sale of Narcan (naloxone), a drug that can interrupt an otherwise lethal opioid overdose immediately. The move would make the non-prescription drug much more accessible to patients who otherwise would face varying barriers to purchase.
According to Beth Snyder Bulik, “Naloxone spray can help reverse an opioid overdose, and public health officials across the country have urged making it more available. It can be acquired in all 50 states without a prescription, but different states have implemented varying levels of educational or other requirements to get it. An OTC indication would allow sales more broadly at locations including convenience stores, supermarkets and big box retailers, said Jody Green, FDA deputy director of safety division and nonprescription drugs, as well as more unique distribution ideas such as vending machines.”
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(Source: Endpoints News, February 15th, 2023)