In a report from Fox Denver, the FDA recently approved the first naloxone nasal spray for over-the-counter use. Naloxone, or Narcan, is meant to rapidly reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. This move by the FDA would allow Narcan, or other off brand products, to be sold in drug stores, grocery stores gas stations, and even online.
According to the medical director of the emergency department at the Medical Center of Aurora, Dr. Katie Sprinkel says, “The change for Coloradans is that the Narcan will be right beside the ibuprofen and the Tylenol. You don’t need to talk to a pharmacist.”
Even though Naloxone is generally not covered by insurance, Sprinkel stated that “We need to put Narcan in people’s hands at little to no cost.”