ASA Reaffirms Strong Support for Over-the-Counter Naloxone Use

On February 15, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) member Bonnie Milas, MD, presented comments to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee and the Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee Meeting in support of over-the-counter use and increased community access to naloxone nasal spray. ASA strongly supports expanding equitable community access to naloxone, a safe life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and significantly reduce the incidence of opioid overdose fatalities, to all patients across the United States as a nonprescription treatment.

In a formal letter to the FDA, ASA conveyed support for over the counter (OTC) naloxone, and reaffirmed naloxone is a medication that is safe for all members of the public to administer.  
 
ASA applauds FDA’s leadership in addressing the opioid epidemic and taking steps to expand access to naloxone nasal spray in communities across the nation. 
 
In a 19-0 vote, expert advisers to the FDA voted to recommend the agency should approve a non-prescription version of naloxone. The agency has until March 29 to decide, and it usually follows the advice of its expert advisers.

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