Study reveals barriers to obtaining overdose-reversing drug naloxone in pharmacies, especially for teens
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MANHASSET, N.Y., Oct. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A study conducted through The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and led by Andrew Adesman, MD, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Northwell Health's Cohen Children's Medical Center, found that pharmacies nationwide need to improve access to the drug naloxone, especially for teenagers who use opioids and are at risk of overdose or are in contact with someone at risk of an opioid overdose, according to a paper published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Naloxone, which is commonly sold as a nasal spray known as Narcan, is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent overdoses by opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone, by blocking opioid receptor sites, thereby reversing the drug's toxic effects. The primary sample group in Dr. Adesman's study included 120 pharmacies in the 10 states with the highest number of opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016. Pharmacies in the two states with the highest prevalence of opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016 were also contacted. The results were clearly discouraging. Approximately 20 percent of pharmacies did not have naloxone immediately available. Of greater concern was the finding that nearly half of the employees questioned had incorrect information regarding a minimum age requirement to buy the drug. These are important findings, according to Dr. Adesman, because studies have consistently shown that increasing access to naloxone is associated with a reduction in fatal opioid overdoses. "We are well aware that fatal opioid overdoses decrease with increased access to naloxone," said Dr. Adesman. "That's why the findings of this study are so disturbing. Our young people must be given the proper information about their ability to purchase naloxone without a prescription in hand, costs at the time of purchase, as well as access. If they don't have the right information, they may just stop trying to buy this life-saving drug. In the case of youngsters who recognize the signs of an overdose and might wish to administer naloxone to save a life, it's vital that we make policies concerning its availability perfectly clear." About the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York About the Feinstein Institutes Contact: Matthew Libassi
SOURCE Northwell Health |
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