ResearchPosted on rand.org Sep 4, 2025Published in: Health Affairs Scholar, Volume 3, Issue 6, qxaf107 (June 2025). DOI: 10.1093/haschl/qxaf107
Improving access to naloxone, an effective opioid overdose reversal medication, is a cornerstone of the public health response to the opioid crisis in the United States. Many states have tried to broaden naloxone access by authorizing pharmacies to dispense and sell naloxone without a patient-specific prescription.
In 2023, the FDA took a further step by approving 2 over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone nasal spray products, allowing individuals to purchase naloxone outside of the pharmacy setting. Despite the promise of this policy, limited evidence exists on consumer knowledge and engagement with OTC naloxone, which is needed to assess its effectiveness and evaluate additional policy options.
This survey study examined knowledge and uptake of OTC naloxone.