The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved selling naloxone without a prescription, setting the overdose-reversing drug on course to become the first opioid treatment drug to be sold over the counter.
It’s a move that some advocates have long sought as a way to improve access to a life-saving drug, though the exact impact will not be clear immediately.The approved branded nasal spray from Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Emergent BioSolutions is the best-known form of naloxone.
Advocates believe it’s important to get naloxone to the people who are most likely to be around overdoses, including people who use drugs and their relatives.Narcan will become available over-the-counter by late summer, the company said. But not every pharmacy carries it. And buyers have to pay for the medication - either with an insurance co-pay or for the full retail price. The cost varies, but two doses of Narcan often go for around $50.
Jose Benitez, the lead executive officer at Prevention Point Philadelphia, an organization that tries to reduce risk for people who use drugs with services including handing out free naloxone, said it could help a lot for people who don’t seek services - or who live in places where they’re not available.
But it remains to be seen how many stores will carry it and what the prices will be. The U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, which now cover prescription naloxone for people on the government insurance programs, says that coverage of over-the-counter naloxone would depend on the insurance program. The centers have not given any official guidance.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
FDA approves over-the-counter sales of lifesaving opioid overdose treatment Narcan nasal sprayThe FDA's decision means people will be able to buy the 4mg nasal spray without a prescription in supermarkets, convenience stores and vending machines.
Leer más »
Can Over-the-Counter Narcan Put an End to Opioid Deaths?Making Narcan over-the-counter would be a step in the right direction, public health experts told The Daily Beast—but they question how much impact it will actually have in stemming the tide of opioid overdose deaths.
Leer más »
Fighting Fentanyl: Local class teaches community members to save lives with NarcanNarcan is a powerful tool in the fight against fentanyl, and a local treatment center in San Antonio is showing people how to administer it to help save lives.
Leer más »
Drug overdose antidote Narcan goes over-the-counterThe FDA move allows retailers to sell the nasal spray without a prescription, but experts worry the price may still discourage some buyers.
Leer más »
FDA knew about latest baby formula problem months before recallFDA inspectors knew about contamination at the Enfamil plant in November, three months before the recall.
Leer más »
U.S. baby formula supply is still vulnerable, former FDA official tells lawmakersA former FDA official underscored dysfunction within the FDA that he believes exacerbated last year's nationwide infant formula shortage.
Leer más »