Easier Access to Life-Saving Naloxone

(Fall 2016) Fortunately, naloxone (also known as Narcan) is becoming more widely available nationwide. The majority of states have approved legislation permitting the sale of naloxone without a prescription and many retailers, including CVS, Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Wal-Mart, are stocking their shelves with the opioid-overdose reversal medication. Kroger has begun to follow suit in a handful of states. Previously, naloxone was only supplied to hospitals, clinics and first-responders.

Naloxone works quickly by supporting normal respiration in overdose victims. The antidote’s effectiveness drops after half an hour, and naloxone can disappear from an individual’s system within 90 minutes. Because of this and other considerations, proper knowledge is necessary for the appropriate administration of the drug.

Although it is at each state’s discretion if naloxone can be purchased as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is assisting manufacturers seeking approval for OTC naloxone packaging containing instructions geared toward the general public. These drug makers must demonstrate that the directions can be followed without a healthcare provider’s assistance. To that end, the FDA developed a picture-based label that makers can use to pattern their own.

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