Baldwin Applauds Approval of First Opioid Overdose Reversal Drug Available Over-the-Counter
Baldwin recently led bipartisan group urging big drug manufacturers to apply for over-the-counter status for overdose reversal drugs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is applauding the Biden administration for approving an opioid overdose reversal drug for over-the-counter (OTC) use, the first of its kind to be approved for use without a prescription. Senator Baldwin has long advocated for increased access to overdose reversal drugs, leading a bipartisan group of 29 colleagues last year in urging seven big manufacturers of naloxone to apply for OTC status to help increase access and save lives.
Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved over-the-counter Narcan, an easy-to-use naloxone nasal spray that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose. Today’s action paves the way for the life-saving medication to be sold directly to consumers in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, and gas stations. Despite the effectiveness of naloxone to reverse active opioid overdoses and the FDA’s public support for making the product available over the counter, the medication was not available over the counter because drug manufacturers resisted applying.
Senator Baldwin also recently passed parts of her Naloxone Access and Education Act to increase states’ and Tribal communities’ access to life-saving opioid overdoses reversal drugs.
An online version of this release is available here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- County Executive Crowley, Chairwoman Nicholson Sign Legislation Approving $9 Million for Efforts to Compat the Opioid Crisis - County Executive David Crowley - Aug 15th, 2025
- How Are State’s Local Governments Spending Opioid Settlement Payouts? - Addie Costello - Aug 4th, 2025
- MKE County: How County Will Spend $9 Million in Drug Settlement Funds - Graham Kilmer - Jul 29th, 2025
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Announces Over $9 Million for Initiatives to Combat Opioid Epidemic - County Executive David Crowley - Jul 17th, 2025
- AG Kaul, 45 Other Attorneys General Plan to Join $720 Million Settlement with Eight Opioid Drug Makers - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Jul 14th, 2025
- Attorney General Kaul Announces Consent Judgment with Kroger Over Opioid Crisis - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Mar 21st, 2025
- Baldwin Votes to Strengthen Penalties, Step Up Enforcement Around Deadly Fentanyl - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Mar 17th, 2025
- Wisconsin Communities Get Millions From Opioid Settlement as Deaths Decline - Evan Casey - Mar 1st, 2025
- MKE County: County Creates Easy Public Access To Overdose Data - Graham Kilmer - Feb 18th, 2025
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and the Office of Emergency Management Launch New Overdose Dashboard - County Executive David Crowley - Feb 18th, 2025
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin
Senator Baldwin Introduces Bill to Provide Healthcare For All Troops
Aug 21st, 2025 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinRoughly 130,000 men and women in the National Guard and Reserve do not have health insurance
Baldwin Presses Ascension on Decision to Outsource Staffing of Intensive Care Units to Private Equity-Backed Firm
Aug 15th, 2025 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinTeamHealth, a private equity-backed firm, has history of business practices that compromise patient care and safety
Baldwin, Moore, Steil Call for Trump Administration to Provide Immediate Federal Support for Flood Damage in Southeastern Wisconsin
Aug 14th, 2025 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinLawmakers support Wisconsin’s request for assistance with federal damage assessment