Over-the-counter Narcan unlikely to significantly reduce opioid deaths

Although over-the-counter Narcan became available at pharmacies in September, community health workers and addiction experts do not believe it will significantly stem the opioid epidemic. Narcan’s unpredictable retail price, erratic availability on store shelves and confusion about having to ask a pharmacist for it likely will contribute to fewer people than expected purchasing it to have available in the event of an overdose. Health officials in Los Angeles County, meanwhile, are trying to make Latino immigrants aware of Narcan. Fentanyl deaths among Latinos in L.A. County rose by 748% in four years to 551 in 2021, according to the county public health department. (KFF Health News article, 10/11/23)