Narcan is now approved for over-the-counter sales. This is what you need to know

WASHINGTON — The lifesaving medication Narcan will be available in more stores and even online as early as this summer. It quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

This latest shift comes after the FDA approved over-the-counter Narcan sales last week.

FDA officials say this is the first naloxone product that will be available without a prescription. That means Narcan will be available in more places like grocery stores and even gas stations.

Advocates say this is a step in the right direction but there are still some major hurdles.

“We want to save people’s lives, we want to get people better and we can’t do that if they’re dead,” said Alexandra Plante, Director of Communications at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Advocates like Alexandra Plante say increasing access to Narcan is a vital tool in fighting the opioid epidemic.

She believes last week’s FDA approval of over-the-counter Narcan sales will help empower communities.

It also comes as the CDC reports more than 100,000 opioid overdoses deaths a year.

“What this medication does is it is it buys time, so that we can get individuals into recovery. And it’s important to remember that 75% plus of individuals do achieve the same long-term recovery, even after a significant or severe substance use disorder,” said Plante. “It’s worth the energy, it’s worth the fight and this is this is a tool to buy us more time to get these individuals connected to resources.”

Right now, Emergent BioSolutions is the only company approved for these sales. It anticipates supplies will be available in stores by late summer. According to Emergent’s press release, “the prescription product will remain in readily available supply through current access channels, including pharmacies through standing order or co-prescription laws and through community distribution.”

Doctors believe this increased access will also help with the stigma around Narcan use.

“The idea that this is just something you could walk into a drugstore and get, I think will lower the stigma, make it easier for people to realize that they can be of service to their community, because they can resuscitate someone,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement at Johns Hopkins University.

But Dr. Sharfstein said it’s still unclear how much Narcan will cost you. Some estimates range between $70-90.

“The price is going to matter a lot. Because if it’s too expensive, then people won’t buy it. If insurance covers it, though, that may make it easier for people to get,” said Dr. Sharfstein.

Some doctors say they also want increased access for other forms of naloxone and allow members of the public, not just support groups to be able to get it.

“For people who are using drugs, often they are using them with injectable naloxone nearby and they’re getting that naloxone for free from a harm reduction program that has support to buy it,” said Dr. Sharfstein.

They hope increased competition of the drug will also help lower the cost.

Currently the U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) covers prescription naloxone for people on the government insurance programs.

“Once Narcan 4 mg nasal spray transitions from prescription to over-the-counter, health insurance coverage for this product may change depending on the source of that coverage. The out-of-pocket price will depend on coverage and the price set by the manufacturer, which has not yet been announced,” said a CMS spokesperson in a written statement to the Washington News Bureau.

Emergent said it isn’t commenting on the potential retail price for Narcan at this time. But the company said it provides discounts on the nasal spray to community organizations, first responders and police agencies.

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