TOLEDO, Ohio — As the opioid crisis worsened in recent years, the use of NARCAN, otherwise known by its generic name Naloxone, has become more common as a method of treatment.
The FDA is expected to make a decision by the end of March - whether to allow people to buy Naloxone without a prescription.
Naloxone is the most common treatment for opioid overdoses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid-related overdose deaths climbed in recent years, due in large part to the spread of fentanyl. More than 80,000 people died of overdoses involving opioids in 2021.
Emergent BioSolutions, an American biopharmaceutical company, said Narcan would be available for the over-the-counter market by late summer if the FDA approves in March.
Aside from making Naloxone easier to access at the pharmacy, it could also mean sales of the medicine may be sold in convenience stores, big box stores, supermarkets and even vending machines to make it convenient for people to access.
“Here in Ohio we already have a standing order for Naloxone," said Mahjida Steffin, the supervisor for overdose prevention and harm reduction at the Lucas County Health Department. "What that means is anyone can access Narcan without a prescription already."
While the treatment is not available over the counter yet, pending the FDA's decision, Steffin said there are other ways to access Narcan in the interim.
"It’s not over the counter in Lucas county as of right now, but it is available for free at certain agencies like the Health Department..." Steffin said. "It’s also available at any pharmacy. So anyone can go up to a pharmacy and ask a pharmacist for Narcan without a prescription."
For more information on where you can find Naloxone kits near you click here.
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