“Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose. Today’s action paves the way for the life-saving medication to reverse an opioid overdose to be sold directly to consumers in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online.”

“The timeline for availability and price of this OTC product is determined by the manufacturer. The FDA will work with all stakeholders to help facilitate the continued availability of naloxone nasal spray products during the time needed to implement the Narcan switch from prescription to OTC status, which may take months. Other formulations and dosages of naloxone will remain available by prescription only,” says the FDA in a pretty fucking sad statement on 21st century America.

It’s great that they’re doing it, but that they fucking have to do it just shows how bad things have gotten. The question of whether an individual opioid user deserves sympathy is something that can be judged on a case-by-case basis. None of the heartbreaking stories about one person or another falling victim to opioid addiction after being prescribed painkillers makes it any less a moral failing overall. It’s not like this is some trendy new party drug that’s suddenly killing people. How many Americans have died of opioid addiction in the past decade? Is it up to a million yet? Who the fuck still thinks using heroin – or even gateway prescription painkillers like Oxycontin – is a good idea?