OTC Naloxone Reaches Only 61% of US Pharmacies Same-Day
This national secret shopper study quantifies persistent gaps in same-day, prescription-free naloxone availability and reveals disparities by pharmacy type and neighborhood racial composition that behavioral health pharmacists can help close.
naloxoneopioid antagonistover-the-counteroverdose preventionharm reductionpharmacy accesshealth equitycross-sectional studysecret shopperaddiction medicineBehavioral Health / Addiction Medicine
Background Information
Over-the-counter naloxone is unevenly available across U.S. pharmacies.
Expanding access to naloxone, a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug, is critical to addressing the overdose crisis in the U.S. About 61.40% of pharmacies had naloxone available without a prescription, with significant variability in availability based on pharmacy type and location demographics. This study highlights challenges in equitable access to naloxone even after it became available over-the-counter, suggesting a need for targeted educational and support strategies for certain pharmacy types. Uneven OTC naloxone availability underscores the need for targeted strategies to ensure equitable access.
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Citation:Eldridge LA, Kline D, Fields K, et al. Availability of Naloxone in Retail Pharmacies Following Introduction of Over-the-Counter Status. JAMA network open. 2026;9(7):e2623617. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.23617