How does consumer demand effect the production of Naloxone?

With the rising opioid epidemic in America, there is a greater need for drugs to treat overdoses, such
as Naloxone (also known as Narcan or Evzio). Naloxone is used to treat overdoses in emergency
situations and can be administered through IV, through injections, or through a nasal spray. Naloxone
works by blocking the effects of opioids such as morphine or heroin, by blocking or shutting down the
effect of the opioid. However, due to the rising amount of overdoses in America (especially in
population dense areas in cities like Baltimore) there is not always enough Naloxone on hand to treat
everyone, and there are risks of shortages. Emergency departments have trouble reliably stocking
Naloxone, and sometimes have to buy it over the counter at pharmacies or drug stores (Naloxone is
available without a prescription to help combat any accidental overdoses of prescription opioids). Also,
due to the increasing potency of opioids, Naloxone may sometimes be needed in greater doses to
reverse the effects, this is compounded by the fact that there is a greater abundance of opioids in the
U.S., making it easier to acquire large amounts. In addition, the scarcity of Naloxone has led to an
increase in price, making it even more difficult for emergency departments on limited budgets to
acquire enough of it. The FDA has been working to try to increase the availability of Narcan and other
brands of Naxolone. There are issues in keeping up with production, but companies that produce this
drug are trying to keep up with the increasing demand. Hopefully, the FDA will be able to increase the
availability enough to allow all emergency departments to have enough to treat any and all cases they
may encounter.
References
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2018, April 16). Narcan (naloxone nasal spray) Approved to
Reverse Opioid Overdose. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-
information-patients-and-providers/narcan-naloxone-nasal-spray-approved-reverse-opioid-overdose
Coppock, K. (2018, October 23). FDA Meeting Aims to Increase Availability of Naloxone for Reducing
Opioid Overdose Deaths. Retrieved August 12, 2019, from https://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/fda-
meeting-aims-to-increase-availability-of-naloxone-for-reducing-opioid-overdose-deaths
Lee, J. (2018, October 25). Strong Opioids May Trigger Shortage of Overdose Antidote. Retrieved from
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/pharma-and-life-sciences/strong-opioids-may-trigger-shortage-of-
overdose-antidote