New, Easier To Use Version Of Life Saving Drug Premieres In Delaware County
RIDLEY PARK, Pa., (CBS) -- Delaware County will be the first in the country to equip police officers with a new, easier to use version of Narcan, the drug that has proven to be a lifesaver on the street when encountering people overdosing on drugs.
One hundred seventy-one lives have been saved in the county alone since officers started administering the drug little more than a year ago. But it takes about 20 seconds to assemble the syringe used now. This new version, being developed by Adapt Pharma, a locally based firm, cuts that time in half.
"The officer will hold it after they remove it from the package and spray it into the recipient's nostril," Delaware County DA Jack Whelan told KYW Newsradio.
The dose is also twice what is now administered. Plans are to switch out the old Narcan for the new in some 400 police cars throughout the county over the next few months.
Members of the public could get their hands on it, without a prescription, come spring, although Whelan insists it's a lifesaver, not a cure for drug addiction.
"It's temporary. They need follow up treatment. If not, they may reverse or relapse into the heroin overdose," Whelan said.
The county will provide educational sessions for the public in the proper use of Narcan.
Each dose of the syringe-delivered version costs about $50. This new package will cut the per dose cost down to under $38.