The New York Times (3/29, Hoffman) reports Narcan (naloxone), “a prescription nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses, can now be sold over the counter, the Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday.” And “by late summer, over-the-counter Narcan is expected to be for sale in big-box chains, vending machines, supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations and online retailers.”
The Washington Post (3/29, Ovalle) reports that Narcan’s “long-term impact remains unclear: It will depend on the price set for the spray by its manufacturer, Emergent BioSolutions, and also retailers’ willingness to stock it on store shelves in easy view of consumers.” Meanwhile, “medical and public health experts urged health insurance plans to cover over-the counter Narcan.” The American Medical Association (AMA) “said it hopes the drug is covered at little or no cost to consumers.” In a statement, Bobby Mukkamala, MD, Chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force, said, “There are many over-the-counter preventive health medications that are covered by insurance, such as aspirin, vitamin D, and fluoride. Naloxone should be added to that list.”
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