The New York Times (2/15, Hoffman) reports two FDA “panels of addiction experts on Wednesday unanimously recommended that” naloxone (Narcan), “the overdose-reversing nasal spray, be made widely available without a prescription, a significant step in the effort to stem skyrocketing drug fatalities.”
The AP (2/15, Perrone) reports the “experts voted unanimously in favor of the switch after a full day of presentations and discussions centered on whether untrained users would be able to safely and effectively use the nasal spray in emergency situations.” The agency “will make a final decision on the drug in coming weeks.”
CNN (2/15, Christensen) reports the agency “has advised the industry to change the label to add simple directions for use and possibly instructions to call 911 after administering the drug.”
Bloomberg Law (2/15, Meghjani, Baumann, Subscription Publication) and NBC News (2/15, Lovelace) also report.
Related Links:
— “Panel backs moving opioid antidote Narcan over the counter “Matthew Perrone, AP, February 15, 2023