AL Political Reporter: “Physicians with the Medical Association of the State of Alabama say action by the Food and Drug Administration means the lifesaving drug naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdoses, could begin appearing on pharmacy shelves and available as over-the-counter medication as soon as next year.
Naloxone is currently available by prescription. The FDA, however, has issued a notice in the Federal Register encouraging companies to develop naloxone products for over-the-counter (OTC) use.
At a time when Alabama and other states are seeing a surge in fentanyl overdose deaths, doctors with the Medical Association say increasing access to naloxone will save lives.
“Naloxone saves lives but only if it is readily available when an overdose occurs. It’s prescription-only status is a barrier that limits access and makes it harder to save lives from fentanyl and other opioid overdoses,” said Dr. Julia Boothe, President of the Medical Association. “Physicians applaud the FDA for taking this first step to make naloxone more widely available.””