Individuals inherently deserve services that promote health, regardless of whether they use drugs. Harm reduction is a set of proactive and evidence-based approaches that reduce the negative personal and public health impact associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs.
The FDA Foundation, working with FDA and several operating divisions within HHS, held two roundtables exploring community and clinical perspectives on fentanyl drug checking and screening. Community participants discussed their experiences using fentanyl test strips (FTS) and other drug checking methods, and clinician and researcher participants shared their perspectives on both clinical fentanyl testing and distribution of FTS to patients.
The Foundation teamed with FDA to host this virtual public meeting addressing some of the most frequently asked questions about access to naloxone, an antidote to opioid overdose.
Harm reduction specialists, physicians, pharmacists, and regulators explored the current landscape of naloxone availability, examined perceived barriers to naloxone access, and addressed questions posed by various groups on this subject. We then opened mics for nearly an hour of public comment to hear first hand from communities.
The Naloxone Economic View Summary Report explores the current distribution of naloxone in the U.S. and the potential economic impacts of a change in the prescription-only status of naloxone. The Foundation, in collaboration with FDA, analyzed data to estimate the amount of naloxone distributed in 2021. The report also includes findings from our expert roundtable with the payor community focused on understanding how a shift is the prescription status of naloxone might impact costs and consumer access.
The Foundation collaborated with FDA to explore the current landscape and potential opportunities for safe disposal of unused and expired opioid medications. The project focused on understanding consumer perspectives and needs related to opioid disposal.
Drug overdose persists as a major public health issue in the U.S. Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and its analogs, are the primary driver of the increase in overdose deaths.
In March 2023, the FDA Foundation, in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), hosted a virtual public workshop titled “Understanding Fatal Overdoses to Inform Product Development and Public Health Interventions to Manage Overdose” to examine the evolving context surrounding fatal overdoses and strategies to better manage overdose moving forward.
This summary report explores solutions and addresses regulatory considerations for future action and innovation.