The drug-overdose
antidote Narcan recently received Food and Drug Administration-approval for over-the-counter use.
EMTs
say whatever happens after administering that first dose, the person who has
overdosed will need medical care.
Nearly
every state in the U.S. allows pharmacists or other qualified organizations to
provided Narcan without a prescription to those at risk of an overdose. Making
it available over the counter is meant to make it easier for people to access
the opioid antidote.
Narcan's manufacturer says customers can expect
the drug to be widely available in stores by late summer.
RELATED STORIES: