FDA Approves , Over-the-Counter , Overdose Medication.<br />On March 29, the United States Food <br />and Drug Administration (FDA) approved overdose <br />reversal drug Narcan for over-the-counter use.<br />ABC reports that the decision marks <br />a milestone that advocates say will <br />save lives amid the ongoing opioid crisis.<br />Narcan is made by <br />Emergent BioSolutions.<br />The drug is a nasal spray containing naloxone, which can restore breathing if someone is experiencing an opioid overdose. .<br />According to medical experts, it is safe to administer <br />the drug to anyone who appears to be having an overdose, <br />even if it turns out they are not overdosing.<br />With the FDA's approval, the medication can now <br />be sold in places like drug stores, grocery stores, <br />convenience stores and even online.<br />With the FDA's approval, the medication can now <br />be sold in places like drug stores, grocery stores, <br />convenience stores and even online.<br />Today's approval of OTC naloxone nasal <br />spray will help improve access to naloxone, <br />increase the number of locations where <br />it's available and help reduce opioid <br />overdose deaths throughout the country, Dr. Robert M. Califf, FDA Commissioner, via ABC.<br />We encourage the manufacturer to make <br />accessibility to the product a priority by <br />making it available as soon as possible<br />and at an affordable price, Dr. Robert M. Califf, FDA Commissioner, via ABC.<br />According to the Centers for Disease Control <br />and Prevention, an estimated 107,622 drug <br />overdose deaths occurred in 2021, setting a record high.<br />ABC reports that a majority of those <br />deaths were the result of opioids, particularly <br />synthetic forms of opioids like fentanyl.
