Synthetic Opioid Use (and Overdose Antidote Prices) on the Rise

(Fall 2018) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that the majority of opioid fatalities are now caused by man-made drugs. Illegally-produced fentanyl and related drugs, such as the extremely potent carfentanil, are presently escalating the opioid crisis. The CDC also cautioned that individuals who overdose on these synthetic opioids are likely to require more than one dose of naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug.

Due to naloxone’s high demand, this spring House Democrats pushed the White House to exert its federal power to lower the antidote’s escalating cost. The legislators composed a letter to Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway, stating that federal organizations can utilize patented inventions in the interest of common welfare and that the current opioid situation warrants this. The lawmakers pointed out that the White House could obtain the patent for naloxone and then work with another drug company to make a cheaper version.

Texas House Representative Lloyd Doggett commented that naloxone’s price will not decrease until the Administration acts. Meanwhile, public budgets are strained under the inflated cost of naloxone as overdose fatalities increase.

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