The FDA’s recent approval of over-the-counter Naloxone, or Narcan, is seen by Angela Kennecke and other advocates as a game-changer in the fight against opioid overdoses, which have been on the rise in the US. Narcan can reverse the effects of opioids, including street drugs like heroin, prescription pills, and fentanyl, which is currently the main factor behind overdoses in many cities.
“And, I think, it’s just like any other safety tool we have out there, like an epi-pen or a defibrillator. We just need to make sure we get Narcan in as many homes as possible,” Kennecke explained to Brady Mallory from WMSN FOX 47 News, Madison.
With over-the-counter Narcan expected in stores this summer, Angela Kennecke sees this as an essential step in reducing the stigma and increasing access to Narcan for people who are suffering from an opioid overdose or are in active addiction. Kennecke hopes that competition between drug companies will keep the cost of over-the-counter Nalaxone affordable, as high demand in the past has led to a 500-percent increase in its price over a four-year period, starting in 2014. For Kennecke and other advocates, Narcan is a small tool that can make a big difference in the fight against opioid addiction.