Narcan, a lifesaving nasal spray that unexpectedly reverses the consequences of an opioid overdose, has been licensed for over the counter sale and non-prescription use, the U.S. Meals and Drug Management introduced Wednesday.
The drugs, which calls for no particular coaching to manage, is the primary naloxone product to be licensed to be used and not using a prescription. It was once first licensed via the FDA as a prescription drug in 2015.
It’s now not but transparent when the spray will hit retailer cabinets, or at what worth. Emergent BioSolutions, the drug’s Maryland-based producer, has stated it expects Narcan will probably be to be had on U.S. cabinets and at on-line shops via the past due summer time. An organization spokesperson informed HuffPost Wednesday that they don’t seem to be but commenting at the worth.
“We inspire the producer to make accessibility to the product a concern via making it to be had once conceivable and at an reasonably priced worth,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf stated in a commentary.
The drug has the possible to opposite hundreds of overdoses each and every yr. Between October 2021 and October 2022, greater than 101,750 deadly overdoses have been reported within the U.S., in line with the FDA.
Artificial opioids like fentanyl have been basically accountable for those deaths, the FDA stated. The naloxone spray additionally has the power to opposite the overdose results of heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine.
The use of the spray on somebody who does now not have opioids of their machine gained’t hurt them, and the drug may also be administered to other people of every age, together with babies and the aged.
Greater than 44 million doses of Narcan were allotted since 2016, Emergent BioSolutions stated.