Prevention Experts Speak On Narcan Shortage, Impacts On ODs

LONG ISLAND, NY — A shortage of naloxone, the medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, in some parts of the country has been reported at a time when addiction continues to rage, escalated by the pandemic.

A manufacturing issue led to Pfizer ceasing production of single-dose injectable Narcan in April, with full levels of distribution not expected back until February, News 10 reported.

According to the Washington Post, prevention advocates have called the uptick in ODs, coupled with a shortage of the low-cost antidote, "a perfect storm."

Although prevention advocates say Long Island hasn't yet been impacted by shortages, they weighed in on the potential deadly repercussions.

"We currently have not been impacted by this. But we are aware of the shortage in other parts of the country," said Mark Epley, president and CEO of the Seafield Center, a Westhampton Beach-based drug and alcohol treatment facility, as well as co-chair of the Southampton Town Addiction & Recovery Behavior Health Committee. "The interesting piece," he said, is that Pfizer ceased production of the single-dose Naloxone, "a drug they sold at a discount — around the same time they began production of the COVID vaccine. I don’t know if that is just a coincidence."

According to the Washington Post article, Pfizer said the manufacturing issue was not related to the coronavirus vaccine developed with BioNTech.

Epley spoke out on the uptick in ODs: "We are assessing and treating more people who are using fentanyl-laced products. I believe the increase in overdoses is related to this. The fentanyl detox is very challenging for the patient."

He added: "We anticipate that the cost of Narcan/naloxone will rise," but said ample supply was onhand. "We have Narcan in all of our facilities, all of our recovery homes, all of our vehicles. Most of our staff is trained on administrating naloxone. We provide a Narcan kit or a prescription for one to all patients who have a diagnosis of opioid dependency or opioid withdrawal."

Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, president and chief executive officer of the Family and Children's Association in Mineola, said he has heard some reports of Narcan shortages. "Given the upswing in overdoses, that’s disconcerting. The demand for naloxone is a direct result of more awareness about the overdose antidote, and also the fact that many people who were trained two years ago have doses that are expiring," he said.

He added that the other factor to keep in mind is that many overdose victims who have used potent fentanyl require more than two doses of Narcan to regain consciousness.

"This is the worst time to have a shortage and we will be pushing state and federal lawmakers to work with manufacturers and distributors to speed up access," he said.