Naloxone approved for over-the-counter sale in pharmacies nationwide

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Sophia Guida

Naloxone approved for over-the-counter sale in pharmacies nationwide

April 27, 2023

Naloxone (also known as Narcan) is now FDA-approved for sale over the counter in pharmacies nationwide. You will now be able to find naloxone at your local pharmacy, available without a prescription. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time.

“This is fantastic news at the national level,” said Thomas McCarry, the Institute’s Director of Substance Abuse Prevention. “It makes a huge statement, will increase access to this critical medication and reduce stigma.”

Any patient at the Institute can currently get free naloxone from and Institute primary care provider, behavioral health clinician or care navigator. You can ask any member of your care team for naloxone.

Last year, Institute staff and providers distributed 1,644 naloxone kits in total. In Ulster County this year, there have been over 100 overdose reverses.

In addition, Institute staff continue to offer regular public trainings in how to use naloxone correctly to respond to an overdose. These short trainings cover the basics of using naloxone, how to react to an overdose emergency, and instructions on how to engage with paramedics and other emergency services. Starting in June, the Institute will join the New Paltz Opioid Prevention and Response Team to offer naloxone training at the New Paltz Farmers Market on Sundays from 10:00am – 3:00pm.

“We greatly recommend attending a training if you can,” said Lisa Schaffer, the Institute’s Associate Clinical Quality Director for Addiction and Chronic Pain Management. “We find that the trainings bring people together to connect in a public, destigmatizing way. Learning how to use naloxone correctly is a kind thing to do and encourages the community to look out for each other and care in this way.”

If you would like a naloxone kit, or more information about our trainings, speak to your provider.