Drug Overdose in the Nation
Drugs are certainly a widespread problem within the world, especially in the U.S. Drugs, being prevalent everywhere around the U.S. are surely going to be used in the wrong way. However, there are legal drugs, such as marijuana, that can be used for medical reasons. However, despite this, there are still people that abuse drugs in a terrible manner. This can then cause several overdoses, in which people die of every single day. However, only first responders were able to administer Narcan or Naloxone, which would reverse the effects of the overdose. Even the most popular celebrities, such as Mac Miller, have abused drugs and have died from an overdose. However, there is a solution that can help if someone is overdosing.
Narcan and Its Use in the Nation
Narcan is a very special tool to have in every household, in case something goes wrong and an overdose occurs. It is also something great to have with you in case you witness someone that is overdosing and no one is able to help. “The Narcan medication, which is used as an emergency treatment for opioid overdose,” according to 25 WPBF News. Being able to have Narcan can certainly save a life.
First responders also have access to Narcan, and can administer it when they arrive to the scene of the overdose. Narcan has been proven to save thousands of lives a day, and continues to be a huge life-saving measure that everyone should have access to. That is why they now made it accessible to the every day citizen, to purchase Narcan over the counter.
Purchasing Narcan Over The Counter
Now that Narcan is being made accessible to the general public, it is safe to say that many more lives will be saved. However, something like this should have been made possible earlier, that way more lives could have been saved in the past. Narcan will not only be available in pharmacies, but it will also be available in other areas such as gas stations, drug stores and more.
Has This Been FDA Approved?
The FDA has recently let out a statement that they approve of Naloxone being available to the general public. They realize that there is an uprising in overdose deaths, and this will surely reduce the amount of deaths by overdose. However, it will not reduce death by overdose in its complete entirety.
Approving a Naloxone drug has also never been done before by the FDA. This is the first time in their history that they have approved something within this category to be available to the public. “Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription,” according to the FDA.
How Much Would This Cost?
There have been families that have already heard of how much this may cost, and it may be too much for them to afford. Therefore, there comes the financial discrepancy that has left many families worried. The estimated cost of this drug when it is officially released to the public, may be around $40-$50. This is a cost that may be difficult for many families to afford.
However, currently if it is prescribed, it can reach up to $130. Therefore, there has definitely been a major dip in price. ““It is unlikely that most folks will drop $40 to $50 on Narcan,” said Dr. Michael Barnett, an associate professor of health policy and management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “They are also prioritizing rent, food, and also paying for opioids, which we want them to decrease,” according to CBS News.
Additionally, this Narcan will be in the form of a nasal spray. “The over-the-counter Narcan will come packaged with two 4-milligram doses, administered as a nasal spray,” according to CBS News.
Therefore, when this is released, there is a hope that the amount of deaths will decrease, as there will be more lives that are saved.
Written by David Loran Jr
Sources:
25 WPBF News: Narcan now available at pharmacies across country, including Walgreens
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray
CBS News: Over-the-counter Narcan to cost less than $50 for a two-pack, company says
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Focal Foto’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Nils Wommelsdorf’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
