FDA approved over the counter status for overdose drug
Update: Mar 27-Apr 7, 2023
On Wednesday March 29, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a drug used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose to be sold over the counter. Narcan, generically called naloxone, is a life-saving nasal spray that can be administered to individuals showing signs of an opioid overdose.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) shared that its OTC approval has been a priority of the department for years as it will tremendously combat the opioid crisis.
The FDA first approved Narcan in 2015 as a drug that can be sold with a prescription. Now that it can be sold over the counter, priorities for the FDA and MDHHS include making it available as soon as possible at an affordable price.