Narcan Top of Mind at Rx and Illicit Drug Summit
Earlier this month, I represented HarborPath at the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit. The four-day conference in Atlanta brought together professionals and experts from various fields to discuss the current state of illicit drug use and find solutions to the ongoing crisis. Attendees - including law enforcement and healthcare professionals, policymakers and advocates - shared a common goal of positively impacting the lives of those affected by the crisis.
Ken Trogdon —
The conference's biggest takeaway was the approval of naloxone for over-the-counter sales, which is a crucial step saving lives from the overdose epidemic. The approval of Narcan for over-the-counter sales is a step in the right direction, but there are still many barriers hindering access to the life-saving medication.
One of the major hurdles to accessing Narcan is the cost for the consumer. While over-the-counter sales will help make Narcan more accessible, it remains expensive for many individuals who need it. Due to the inconsistency over which insurance providers will cover over-the-counter purchases, Narcan could be a significant expense for many people without qualifying medical coverage.
Another barrier is the stigma surrounding addiction and drug use. Many individuals who use drugs or have a loved one who uses drugs may be hesitant to ask a pharmacist for Narcan due to the stigma associated with addiction.
Awareness of Narcan’s availability and life-saving capabilities continues to be an issue. There is a need for greater awareness among populations on how to access and use Narcan in an overdose emergency. State laws are also inconsistent on the use of Narcan in schools and how it can be distributed – which is an additional awareness issue at the legislative level.
Finally, while over-the-counter approval provides greater access to Narcan, it still does not provide access for all who need it. For example, over-the-counter sales have little impact on rural communities who have limited access to healthcare and may not have pharmacies within reach.
Despite these challenges, the conference attendees I spoke with were optimistic about the potential impact of over-the-counter Narcan on the drug epidemic. The move has spurred a national dialogue on the importance of Narcan as a vital public health resource that can save lives and should be made affordable and accessible to those who need it most.
HarborPath's Narcan Right Now initiative is addressing these gaps in Narcan access. The initiative provides free dosages to remove the barrier of consumer cost and offers direct-to-consumer options for individuals in rural communities or who prefer not to approach a pharmacist for Narcan. Additionally, HarborPath's partnerships with local agencies and nonprofits provide treatment access and direction following the saving of a life.
HarborPath initiated many meaningful conversations at the Summit by utilizing sponsorship and booth space with FFF Enterprises. This was a terrific platform to share our vision for making Narcan free and accessible to America’s most vulnerable populations.