DOH Commissioner Discusses Supply of New Opioid Antagonists

Capital tonight The newspaper reported on the expansion of the types of opioid antagonists the state uses to stop overdoses. The state currently has contracts with only one manufacturer of naloxone or Narcan, but that could change.

According to state Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald, the DOH will issue a new request for proposals next year to see if the state can get a better price for the drug.

That said, McDonald’s isn’t yet willing to update the statewide standing order to add all FDA-approved versions of the drug, such as nalmefene or Opvee.

“The approval that they (the makers of Opvee or nalmefene) got in 2022, they studied it in unhealthy volunteers, and they got it through the Food and Drug Administration. That’s good enough for the FDA, but they didn’t make it over the counter. So if the makers of Opvee want to make their drug over the counter, they can go to the Food and Drug Administration and get approval. But the FDA would have to give them that approval. They didn’t,” McDonald said. “Narcan, by the way, is now over the counter. It wasn’t when we started, but it’s a proven drug. It’s safe. We know it saves lives, and we know it’s safe and effective.”