Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS) said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a supplemental New Drug Application allowing its over-the-counter NARCAN® Nasal Spray to be sold in a new, portable carrying case, a move aimed at making the overdose-reversal drug easier to keep on hand.
The newly approved packaging includes two blister-packed doses of NARCAN® Nasal Spray, each with a Quick Start Guide, housed in a compact, discreet and durable case designed for everyday carry. Emergent said the goal is to help integrate naloxone into daily routines so it is more readily available during opioid emergencies.
The approval follows consumer research highlighting demand for more discreet options. In a recent survey conducted by Emergent, 74% of consumers said they prefer a carrying case over standard packaging. Among college students—considered a higher-risk group for opioid misuse—that figure rose to 81%, underscoring the importance of portability and discretion.
“Every second counts in an opioid emergency, and our mission at Emergent is to ensure that life-saving tools like OTC NARCAN® Nasal Spray are readily available, easily accessible and are second nature to carry,” said Paul Williams, senior vice president and head of products business, global government and public affairs at Emergent. “In response to the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic, we believe this new carrying case is an additional option for our customers and consumers to acquire, while encouraging preparedness and expanding accessibility to help save lives.”
Despite its effectiveness, everyday carriage of naloxone remains limited, with only about 10% of the general population carrying it, according to Emergent. The company said the new case is designed to reduce stigma and improve readiness by keeping two doses in their original blister packaging, helping ensure reliability when needed.
The NARCAN® Nasal Spray carrying case is expected to be available soon through select retailers and online, as well as to public interest customers via NARCANDirect®, Emergent’s ordering and distribution platform.
Since NARCAN® Nasal Spray was first launched as a prescription product in 2016, more than 85 million doses have been distributed across the United States and Canada, the company said.