FDA Approves Overdose-Reversing Nasal Spray Narcan

March 29th, 2:58 PM EDT

(NEWSnet) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved selling naloxone without a prescription.

The overdose-reversing drug is a nasal spray from Maryland-based Emergent BioSolutions.

It will be the first opioid treatment drug to be sold over the counter.

Narcan can reverse overdoses of opioids, including street drugs such as heroin and fentanyl and prescription versions including oxycodone.

Over-the-counter availability is seen as a key strategy to control the nationwide overdose crisis.

Officials say Narcan will become available over-the-counter by late summer.