Opinion: OTC naloxone is a baby step toward making the life-saving medication accessible
The new over-the-counter status for naloxone is a no-brainer. But as people who work to fight the opioid epidemic, we fear that many others may be overstating the victory here.
In an attempt to make naloxone more accessible amid the massive human toll of the opioid crisis, the FDA recently approved over-the-counter naloxone. Naloxone is the one solution that has remained constant through the evolving opioid crisis. A safe and effective medication that can quickly reverse an overdose, it is a critical tool in the public health response to the opioid crisis. Until now, naloxone availability has been a bit confusing, with each state taking a slightly different approach. Generally, harm reduction and public health organizations have offered direct distribution for people at risk of an opioid overdose; it was also available prescription at many pharmacies.
The new OTC status is a no-brainer: There’s no good reason why it shouldn’t be available easily and readily. But as people who work to fight the opioid epidemic, we fear that many others may be overstating the victory here.
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