FDA approves new opioid reversal drug.

The FDA Approves Second⁤ Drug to Combat Opioid Overdoses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently​ given its approval for ‌a second drug to fight against opioid overdoses. This new drug, called ⁢RiVive, has⁣ been developed by Harm Reduction ​Therapeutics and is set to be available over the counter without a prescription starting next year.

A Breakthrough ⁣for Harm Reduction ⁤Therapeutics

Harm Reduction​ Therapeutics has become the first nonprofit pharmaceutical company to receive‍ approval for an⁤ opioid reversal drug. In a commendable move, the company ⁤plans to⁤ produce​ 200,000​ doses of RiVive⁢ for free.

“Ensuring naloxone is widely available, especially as an approved OTC product, makes a critical ⁣tool available ‍to help protect public health,” stated FDA‍ Commissioner Robert Califf. “The⁢ agency has long prioritized access ‍to ‌naloxone products, and‍ we⁣ welcome manufacturers of other naloxone products to discuss potential nonprescription development programs with ⁤the FDA.”

A Growing Crisis

With over 100,000‌ overdose deaths reported⁣ in the United⁤ States last year, the need for effective​ solutions ‍is more pressing than ever. In March 2023, the FDA approved the first ⁢over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray, marking a ‌significant‌ step forward in combating opioid overdoses.

According to‍ a study conducted ‌by scientists ‌at the Icahn School of⁤ Medicine at Mt.‌ Sinai⁤ in New York and the National Institute on Drug Abuse ⁤from the National Institutes ​of Health, men ⁣experience overdose deaths at a rate ‍two to three‍ times higher than women ⁣across all age ⁤brackets, states, ⁣and types of‌ drugs.

Overdose deaths have seen a staggering fivefold increase across all demographic categories since 2000, with a significant spike ​in overdoses since 2019.

For more information,‌ click here to read more‌ from The Washington Examiner.

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