FDA Advisory Committee Unanimously Recommends Over-the-Counter Naloxone to Combat Opioid Crisis

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) advisory committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to recommend that a nasal spray version of naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, be sold over-the-counter. The spray, sold under the brand name Narcan, works by temporarily reversing the effects of opioids, including prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl.

If approved by the FDA, the nonprescription use of naloxone could be distributed in a variety of places, from vending machines to big box stores. This would make the drug more widely available and accessible to those who need it.

The vote follows a daylong joint meeting of two FDA advisory panels to weigh a request by Emergent BioSolutions, the manufacturer of Narcan, to sell the product over the counter. The FDA is expected to make a decision on the request in the coming weeks.

The potential approval of over-the-counter naloxone could have a significant impact on the opioid crisis. By making the drug more widely available, it could help to save lives and reduce the number of opioid-related deaths. It could also provide an additional layer of protection for those who are at risk of an opioid overdose.