MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Narcan, an opioid overdose treatment, will soon be available over the counter, according to a release from the Mobile County Health Department. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration made the announcement Wednesday.

Before Wednesday, Narcan was restricted to licensed healthcare providers, approved opioid overdose programs and first responders.

“This is a great opportunity to get life-saving products out to the lowest level in the community to address opioid overdose without a prescription,” said Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “Manufacturers are working with Food and Drug Administration to appropriately label for over-the-counter use to be purchased as such at local pharmacies.”

According to the FDA more than 101,750 fatal overdoses were Reported last year. In 2022 Escambia county made the top of the list for the number of opioid deaths in Florida. 

Sara Davey, Director of Pharmacy Health and Hope Clinic says “I think more access is better and the more we can get it out in the community the more deaths we can prevent.”

You can find additional information about the distribution of Narcan can be found on the MCHD’s new app. It is called “My MCHD Health Check.”

The app is available for download in the App Store and Google Play.

“Narcan is a medication that is used for the emergency treatment of known or suspected
opioid overdose,” according to the release.

“I think it’s really important for organizations,” said Davey. “Churches, schools, people like that that could easily find someone on their campus to have it available. You would hate to have the opportunity to save someone’s life and not be able to do it because you didn’t have it on hand.”