The Food and Drug Administration March 29 approved the first naloxone product for over-the-counter (OTC) sales.
Emergent BioSolutions’ 4 mg nasal spray, Narcan, can now be sold directly to consumers in pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations and online. Federal and state governments have sought to increase access to the opioid reversal drug amid the prescription drug abuse and illicit fentanyl epidemics, with several states requiring providers to co-prescribe it or counsel patients about its availability when issuing a controlled substance prescription. Narcan is expected to be available in stores by late summer.
The FDA also is expected to approve a second naloxone spray from Harm Reduction Therapeutics for OTC use in the near future.