Today, Emergent BioSolutions announced the shelf-life extension for NARCAN® Nasal Spray from three years (36 months) to four years (48 months) to all newly manufactured product. The update makes NARCAN® Nasal Spray the only 4 mg, intranasal naloxone spray in Canada with this extended expiration date. The Health Canada notification to extend NARCAN® Nasal Spray’s shelf-life was completed on February 2, 2024.
Naloxone, the active ingredient in NARCAN® Nasal Spray, is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from prescription and illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl, when given in time. As an emergency public health measure, Health Canada first approved NARCAN® Nasal Spray in October 2016.i,ii In 2023, Emergent distributed approximately 22 million doses (~11 million two-dose cartons) in Canada and the U.S. through public interest organizations, such as community-based organizations, harm reduction groups and pharmacies. According to the Government of Canada, there were 6,312 opioid-related hospitalizations in 2023.iii That is a 16 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 and it equates to an average of 17 hospitalizations a day.iii
“Helping to save lives from accidental opioid poisonings is our number one priority and that is why increasing awareness around the potential risks, reducing stigma and improving access to NARCAN® Nasal Spray are important efforts as part of the broader solution in Canada,” said Paul Williams, SVP and products business head, at Emergent. “We believe that Emergent’s proactive commitment to extend the shelf-life for NARCAN® Nasal Spray offers patients, caregivers and critical community partners the ability to be best prepared to respond to an opioid overdose emergency.”
In addition to increasing access to NARCAN® Nasal Spray, Emergent also funds public awareness initiatives, supports community organizations’ local efforts, and works closely with governments, associations, and Indigenous communities to get intranasal naloxone into the hands of those who need it.
NARCAN® Nasal Spray can be accessed at no cost to all residents of Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec and the Yukon, through the provincial and territorial take-home naloxone (or equivalent) programs. It is also available through Veteran Affairs Canada, First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) in British Columbia and Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. NARCAN® Nasal Spray can also be ordered online at OrderNARCAN.ca in provinces and territories that do not include NARCAN® Nasal Spray on their take-home naloxone programs (or equivalent).
NARCAN® Nasal Spray is used to treat someone who has overdosed on opioids. It can be used by anyone to reverse the effects of the overdose until medical help arrives. Administering NARCAN® Nasal Spray to someone who is not experiencing an overdose or does not have opioids in their system will do no harm to the person. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. To learn more about this life-saving medicine and access resources, education and advocacy tools, visit narcannasalspray.ca.
About NARCAN® Nasal Spray
NARCAN® Nasal Spray is a pure opioid antagonist indicated for emergency use to reverse known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or severe central nervous system depression.
While NARCAN® Nasal Spray can be administered by a non-health care professional, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. Always call 911 as soon as an opioid overdose is suspected, before administering NARCAN® Nasal Spray.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.