Should the cost of naloxone be determined by its public health impact? (Modern Healthcare)

Thursday Sep 1st, 2016

The rising cost of naloxone—a 40-year-old drug capable of reversing drug overdoses—is prompting questions about the wisdom of allowing market-forces to determine the price of a vital tool in the public health response to the nation'sopioid crisis.

Some say the federal government should purchase the drug and distribute it to state and local health agencies at a more affordable price.

Earlier this week, Baltimore health commissioner Dr. Leana Wen told Modern Healthcare that the cost of naloxone has prevented her department, which is at the forefront of the campaign to widen use of naloxone, from blanketing the city as she had hoped.
 

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