Forbes: The High Cost Of Addiction Will Rise Unless Leaders Step In

Many solutions are being implemented and tested to combat the opioid crisis. One of these solutions are opioid antagonists, medications that can block the effects of opioids and have been employed to save lives. One brand of antagonist, Naloxone, will soon be available over the counter, but its availability will not be widened if drug manufacturers set the price too high.

We are at an inflection point with over 46 million people suffering from a substance use disorder and 9.2 million people 12 and older reporting misusing opioids. The CDC reports 66.8% of drug overdose deaths had at least one potential opportunity for intervention, and almost half of fatal overdoses had a bystander present. With overdose deaths reaching an all-time high in 2021, everyone needs to know the medication’s availability, how to use it and where to buy it.

5 Ways to Address the Growing Opioid Crisis

1.  Create a National Drug Rebate Program

2. Increase Online Availability of Naloxone

3. Shatter the Stigma

4. Identify and Deploy Research-Based Solutions

5. Lower the Cost

Access to health care is a basic human right.

Cost is a critical determinant of access. I believe we must ensure opioid antagonists like naloxone get into the hands of those who need it most.