The U.S. has an antidote against overdose… and approves it to be sold without prescription
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday approved a naloxone-based drug that will be able to be sold without a prescriptionwith which the U.S. government intends to reinforce its fight against drug trafficking. opioid epidemic.
“Narcan 4 milligrams (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray” was approved for over-the-counter sale and thus becomes the first drug of its kind that will be available without a prescription.
This antidote based on naloxone rapidly reverses the effects of of opioid overdose. Other formulations and dosages of naloxone, the agency said, will remain available by prescription only.
“Today’s action paves the way for the life-saving drug to be sold directly to consumers in places such as pharmacies, convenience stores, supermarkets and gas stations, as well as online,” the FDA said in a statement.
Improved access
Drug overdose persists as a major public health problem in the United States, with more than 101,750 fatal overdoses reported that occurred in the 12-month period ending October 2022. They were primarily from synthetic drugs such as fentanyl.
“Today’s approval of over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray will help improve access to naloxone, will increase the number of locations where it is available and help reduce opioid overdose deaths across the country. We encourage the manufacturer to make product accessibility a priority by making it available as soon as possible and at an affordable price,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf.
