PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – A prescription nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses can now be sold over the counter.
Following approval by the FDA on Wednesday, Narcan is expected to be in supermarkets convenience stores, gas stations and more by late summer.
The approval has been long sought by public health officials and addiction experts who hope to reduce overdose deaths.
Separately, a recent study reflects a growing concern for healthcare in the Sunshine State.
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, 63 percent of counties in Florida are experiencing a shortage of primary care doctors.
“Whether that’s due to workforce shortage physician burn out or just and increased demand for care from us as patients or consumers, there is that disproportion between the demand and supply whether that’s due to workforce shortage physician burn out or just and increased demand for care from us as patients or consumers, there is that disproportion between the demand and supply and then what that essentially translates to is missed preventive care missed on time screenings missed detection of disease early and so on and so forth so it’s a scary,” said Dr. Vidya Raman-Tangella, Chief Medical Officer at Teledoc Health.
The study also found that the shortage of primary care doctors is leading to increased visits to the ER, putting stress on an already taxed emergency system in many areas.
And a new study found that certain headaches are more likely to occur at certain times of the day and year.
According to a meta-analysis, more than 70 percent of people reported having cluster headaches during the spring or fall.
Respondents said the attacks usually occurred between late nights and early mornings.
The study also found that of the most painful migraines were reported between April and October.
Sleep specialists said the findings can lead to better treatment with those who have headache disorders by prescribing medications that target that circadian cycle.