St. Paul, MN—State Representative Dave Baker, R-Willmar, and Chairman of the state’s Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (OERAC) issued the following statement today regarding news that the Food and Drug Administration has approved naloxone to be sold over-the-counter and without a prescription. This sets the table for Narcan to be the first opioid treatment drug to be sold over-the-counter and will vastly improve access to this life saving drug.
“While it took longer than it should have, today's news is an important milestone in the fight against opioid addiction and overdose deaths,” said Rep. Baker. “Improved access to this safe and easy to use nasal spray will save thousands of lives across Minnesota and around the nation. Despite today’s positive news, our work is not done. That’s why I continue to work hard to pass our bill that will hold drug dealers accountable for selling illegal fentanyl. Increasing criminal penalties for those that deal these deadly drugs in our communities is the next step in winning this fight.”
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