Harm reductionists are applauding the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to make the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan more accessible. It’s often considered to be the first line of defense in saving lives. Now, the FDA is giving pharmacies the green light to sell the nasal spray over the counter.

“Narcan is an … incredibly easy-to-use medicine, but it only works when it’s widely available. So it should’ve never been prescription medication in the first place,” said Jenna Mellor, executive director at New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition.

But with the cost of Narcan ranging from about $80 to $100, there’s concern that making the drug available without a prescription will still limit accessibility.

Harm reductionists say they FDA’s approval of over-the-counter sales of the Narcan nasal spray is the first step in saving more lives.

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