ADAI in the News: Dr. Caleb Banta-Green on Over-the-Counter Naloxone and Low-Barrier Treatment
02/15/2023
ADAI Acting Professor Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW recently talked with Scripps National News about making the opioid overdose antidote naloxone available over-the-counter (OTC).
The FDA is meeting today (Feb. 15, 2023) to review the application for an OTC version of naloxone nasal spray.
Though the goal of such a move would be to expand access, Dr. Banta-Green notes that cost will be a major factor — if it’s too high, the move to making it over-the-counter could actually reduce access.
Dr. Banta-Green also talks about the importance of low-barrier treatment options, noting that “When we talk to people who use illicit opioids, 80% say they want to stop or reduce their use. But most can’t and/or won’t go to traditional health care addiction treatment programs – but they will go to low-barrier programs” like community-based programs use harm reduction models of care.
For more information, visit:
- LearnAboutTreatment.org (information about treatment options for opioid and stimulant use)
- StopOverdose.org (how to reverse an overdose, where to find naloxone, and more)
