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. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- Baldwin Backed Legislation to Crack Down on Fentanyl Traffickers Heads to President’s Desk - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Apr 24th, 2024
- Legislature Stalls Opioid Settlement Funds. Again - Erik Gunn - Apr 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee Bucks Legend Marques Johnson Joins Forces with Serenity Inns to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Milwaukee - Serenity Inns - Apr 23rd, 2024
- Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded Grants from State Opioid Settlement Funds - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 18th, 2024
- MKE County: County Wins Award for Opioid Settlement Fund Usage - Graham Kilmer - Apr 4th, 2024
- MKE County: County Offering $2.8 Million For Opioid Addiction Programs - Graham Kilmer - Mar 28th, 2024
- Senator Baldwin Calls on House to Pass Bill that Cracks Down on Fentanyl Traffickers - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Feb 15th, 2024
- Attorney General Josh Kaul announces $350 million settlement with marketing firm over its role in opioid epidemic - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Feb 1st, 2024
- Grants Will Fund Recovery Housing For Those Facing Homelessness and Battling Opioids - Margaret Faust - Jan 12th, 2024
- Baldwin Helps Advance Bipartisan Bill to Address Opioid and Fentanyl Crisis - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Dec 14th, 2023
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
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