White House calls for greater naloxone access, training

The White House on Wednesday launched a nationwide call for more training and better access to the opioid overdose drug naloxone (Source: “Biden Administration Calls for Greater Access to Overdose Antidote,” HealthDay News, March 13).
 
Called the Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose, the initiative urges organizations and businesses to commit to train employees on how to use opioid overdose medications, to keep naloxone in emergency kits and to distribute the drug to employees and customers so they might save a life at home, work or in their communities.
 
Naloxone, sometimes sold under the brand name Narcan, is a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Research has shown that using the nasal spray doesn't call for medical expertise and requires only minimal training.
 
In March 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an over-the-counter Narcan spray, following that in July with the approval of the first generic nasal spray. Americans can now buy the sprays at pharmacies, grocery stores and vending machines.