In recent years, the opioid epidemic has become a major public health crisis in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 93,000 drug overdose deaths in the US in 2020, with opioids involved in nearly 74% of those deaths. One tool that has been widely used to combat the epidemic is Narcan, an overdose antidote that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and save lives. However, a proposal to sell Narcan at about $50 per kit has been met with criticism from experts who argue that the plan could have harmful consequences.
Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids bind to. This can quickly restore normal breathing and prevent death. Narcan is available in different forms, including a nasal spray and an injectable solution, and is typically administered by first responders, healthcare professionals, and family members of individuals at risk of an overdose.
The proposal to sell Narcan at about $50 per kit comes from Adapt Pharma, a pharmaceutical company that was acquired by Emergent BioSolutions in 2018. Adapt Pharma has been praised for its efforts to increase access to Narcan by offering it at discounted prices to first responders and community organizations. However, the proposed price of $50 per kit, which includes two doses of Narcan, has drawn criticism from experts who argue that it could limit access to the medication and harm those most at risk of an overdose.
One concern is that the $50 price tag could be a barrier for people who need Narcan but cannot afford it. According to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, about 2.2 million non-elderly adults in the US with opioid use disorder (OUD) are uninsured, and many more have insurance that may not cover the cost of Narcan. If Narcan becomes more expensive, it could become harder for people with OUD and their families to obtain the medication, potentially leading to more overdose deaths.
Another concern is that the high price of Narcan could discourage some organizations from stocking up on the medication. Narcan is often distributed by community organizations, such as harm reduction programs, that provide services to people who use drugs. If these organizations cannot afford to purchase Narcan, they may be less likely to offer it to their clients, who may be at high risk of an overdose.
Some experts have also criticized the proposal to sell Narcan at $50 per kit as a marketing ploy that could benefit the pharmaceutical company more than the public. In a statement to CNN, Dr. Michael Botticelli, former director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said that the proposal “seems more like a public relations move than a serious attempt to address the overdose epidemic.”
In conclusion, while Narcan has been a crucial tool in the fight against the opioid epidemic, the proposed price of $50 per kit has raised concerns among experts. If Narcan becomes more expensive, it could limit access to the medication and potentially harm those most at risk of an overdose. As the US continues to grapple with the opioid epidemic, it is important to ensure that lifesaving medications like Narcan remain accessible and affordable for all who need them.
