Assessing the State of Over-the-Counter Naloxone Access

Drug overdose remains a top cause of preventable death in the United States. The opioid antidote, naloxone, is a safe, highly effective tool in the fight against this crisis. Just over a year ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first intranasal, standard dose naloxone product for over-the-counter (OTC) retail sales. Since then, several additional products—both brand name and generic—have gone to market. Proponents of this shift to OTC status argue that it will reduce stigma, purchase barriers, and privacy concerns. Now that OTC naloxone products have been on retailer shelves for a while, this three-part series looks at some key successes, potential challenges, and ultimate take-home lessons for policymakers.

• Part 1: Exploring Cost and the Emerging Landscape of Naloxone Competition
• Part 2: Assessing the Retail Availability of OTC Naloxone
• Part 3: How Policymakers can Improve Naloxone Access in their Communities