The Narcan spray, approved March 29, will represent the first over-the-counter opioid overdose reversal treatment available in the U.S. The move highlights a broader effort to increase the public’s access to the drug amid the opioid crisis.
However, health experts have expressed concern that the price for one box, which includes two 4-milligram sprays, will still be a barrier.
“It’s still too expensive for pretty much everyone I’ve ever provided it to — mainly teens and people experiencing homelessness,” Chelsea Shover, PhD, a professor of epidemiology at University of California, Los Angeles, told the Post. “That price point is probably fine for many businesses or organizations who want or have to have a Narcan kit or two publicly available.”
Over-the-counter Narcan is expected to hit the market by late summer. Emergent told the Post the company needs to “foster a sustainable business model” and is taking a “responsible approach to pricing,” which includes manufacturing, packaging and shipping costs.
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