WASHINGTON — For the first time ever, you can buy the Narcan nasal spray over-the-counter at major grocery stores and pharmacies across the country.
The nasal spray quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
The nation’s top health and drug control officials are calling community members to carry Narcan no matter where they live or work. They believe everyone can help save a life.
They’re working with community activists like Rosalind Pichardo, who is the founder of Operation Save Our City. She said she has reversed nearly 2,100 overdoses over the last few years by using Narcan. She remembers those lives in a small black book.
VIDEO: This is community activist Rosalind Picardo who led today’s narcan demonstration at @HHSGov. She’s helped reverse nearly 2,100 overdoses over the last few years. pic.twitter.com/JRO1rLNq3D
— Kirstin Garriss (@ReporterGarriss) September 8, 2023
“6/27/2019. A male in his twenties. 2:45pm. I gave him two Narcans,” Pichardo said.
On Friday, she showed top health officials and federal workers how to do the same during a demonstration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) headquarters.
Read: Narcan, opioid OD antidote, will be available over-the-counter next week
Right now, the Narcan nasal spray is available without a prescription at major retailers like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart.
“Until this week, it was nearly impossible for someone to easily have access to this to help save a life,” Secretary Xavier Becerra at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said.
Each box of Narcan is roughly $45 with two doses of the medication inside. But many advocates believe that’s still too expensive.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
“A $44.99 price tag is still out of reach for many Americans who need access to the lifesaving medication. We need to start working with the companies to bring that price down as much as possible,” Ryan Hampton, executive director at Mobilized Recovery, said.
White House officials say they’re working to address this issue.
“We’re continuing to work with each of the manufacturers to make sure that these lifesaving and critical medications are accessible, affordable and where they can be administered,” Dr. Rahual Gupta, White House Drug Czar, said.
NOW: Dr. Gupta is on stage now with a community member during the training. He walks through one of the steps to giving Narcan and the symptoms to look for. pic.twitter.com/sjiI1c7MY1
— Kirstin Garriss (@ReporterGarriss) September 8, 2023
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
The Biden administration said it has distributed $50 million to public health departments to buy naloxone. Dr. Gupta said less expensive naloxone products will be available next year.
“Make sure that when someone is overdosing across America their zip code doesn’t get to define whether they live or die,” Gupta said.
Officials are encouraging people to have Narcan at their workplaces. This includes even at HHS where staff say they have kits around the building.
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
