Adapt Pharma highlights naloxone nasal spray efficacy at AAPM

ORLANDO, Fla. — A little more than a year after its approval, Adapt Pharma made the case for the effectiveness of its Narcan (naoloxone) Nasal Spray 4 mg at the annual American Academy of Pain Medicine, here, on Thursday with real-world use data. The survey collected case data and outcomes of opioid overdose reversal attempts by first responders and community health organizations using the nasal spray. 

 

Of the 261 attempted reversals reported and analyzed, 245 recorded a known clinical outcome, with 242 reported as successful following administration of the nasal spray. More than 95% of the cases were presumed to involve a heroin overdose, and 5% involved fentanyl. In 74.5% of the cases analyzed, response time after naloxone administration was less than five minutes, which Adapt says is consistent with responses seen in patients receiving an intramuscular naloxone administration.

 

“We are pleased to have real-world experiences and outcomes with Narcan Nasal Spray presented at AAPM”, Adapt Pharma CEO Seamus Mulligan said. “Narcan Nasal Spray was designed to be administered in an emergency by people without specialized medical training.”

 

Albertsons recently announced that it had trained pharmacists across its banners in 13 states to dispense Adapt Pharma’s nasal spray without a prescription. The nasal spray was approved by the Food and Drug Administration under priority review and launched in February 2016. 

 

“With our teams in place as a resource for this medication, we are keeping with our commitment to serve and improve the health and wellness of all our customers while also making our communities stronger," Mark Panzer, Albertsons SVP pharmacy, health and wellness, said when Albertsons announced its naloxone nasal spray availability. 

 

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating that 78 Americans die daily from drug overdoses, naloxone availability has been a big effort among drug store chains, with CVS pharmacists dispensing naloxone injections for patients without prescriptions in 41 states, Rite Aid making it available in 23 states and Walgreens patients able to get naloxone prescription-free in more than 34 states and Washington, D.C.