FDA Approves Narcan—An Opioid Antidote—For Over-The-Counter Use Amid Overdose Epidemic

Topline

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan for over-the-counter use Wednesday, marking the first time a drug used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose is available without a prescription, in an effort to combat the ongoing epidemic plaguing the country.

Key Facts

Big Number

101,750. That’s how many reported fatal overdoses the U.S. saw in a 12-month ending in October 2022, the FDA said.

Key Background

The FDA first approved narcan nasal spray for prescription use in 2015 in an effort to combat the growing opioid epidemic. Since then, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, opioid overdoses have increased, particularly due to the rise of synthetic opioids, like fentanyl. Fentanyl is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and used to treat patients with severe pain, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Deaths due to opioid overdose have come from three main sources: from prescription opioids like OxyContin, street drugs like heroin and most recently synthetic drugs like fentanyl. Without intervention, specifically from pharmaceutical companies who routinely prescribe opioids, health experts warn that more than 1.2 million people will die from opioid overdoses in the U.S. and Canada by 2029.

Tangent

In September, the White House announced $1.5 billion in funding for states, tribal lands and territories to help increase access to naloxone and recovery support services and treatment for substance use disorder.

Further Reading

White House Announces $1.5 Billion For Worsening Opioid Crisis (Forbes)

Vaccine Targeting Effects Of Fentanyl Developed By Researchers—It Could Help Tackle Opioid Misuse (Forbes)

1.2 Million Opioid Overdose Deaths Expected In U.S. And Canada By 2029, Experts Warn (Forbes)

Economic Toll Of Opioid Epidemic: $1.3 Trillion A Year (Forbes)