Will Narcan be an item all Anchorage Residents have soon?

Working in a booth at Salmon Fest, Sam Deakin is astounded to see an item that almost everyone has on them; Naloxone: Narcan. 

“Everyone at Salmon Fest was either carrying Narcan or knew someone who had some,” said Deakin, a local political canvasser. “It was really awesome for everyone to be aware of the possibility that someone around them might need it.”

On March 29, the FDA approved 4mg Narcan for over-the-counter use, and it is the first of the Naloxone products to ever be sold without a prescription.

“Once we have identified someone is overdosing, then we provide treatment which includes Narcan,” Fire Chief Brian Murphy said. “We carry Narcan kits in our fire companies as well as our ambulances, and unfortunately we use it pretty frequently.”

“There is some over the counter Narcan and so we also encounter people that have had Narcan given to them prior to our arrival whether it’s through APD or their personal supply,” added Murphy.

Many local pharmacies said that Narcan is still currently only available by prescription only. They also noted that they weren’t aware of any changes that were going to be made in the near future.

Although local pharmacies have yet to provide the Narcan without a prescription, there are other ways it may be possible to get it.

“The Anchorage Health department has a clinic that provides Narcan free to the public and on a walk-in basis, as well as Narcan kits,” said an employee.

While Narcan may not be available over the counter in Anchorage yet, places like the Anchorage Health Department can provide people with this lifesaving medication for free. 

“You never know the people you’re going to be around at festivals, concerts or anywhere to be honest, and their habits,” Deakin said.

“The more people who have Narcan when going out the better.”