The following statement is attributable to:
Bobby Mukkamala, M.D.
Chair, American Medical Association Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force
“Throughout the drug overdose epidemic, harm reduction organizations have been at the front lines, offering care and hope in hundreds of communities. These organizations have accomplished amazing work despite shoestring budgets and bureaucratic challenges. The American Medical Association is grateful the Food and Drug Administration recognizes the importance of that work. The guidance announced today (PDF) offers regulatory clarity for harm reduction organizations to purchase naloxone so more will be distributed in communities.
“This is just one step in a multi-pronged effort to combat the drug overdose epidemic. The AMA outlined other steps in our recent Overdose Epidemic Report. Physicians recognize the work of harm reduction organizations and welcome the government’s willingness to remove obstacles as they—day in and day out—save lives.”
"The AMA also continues to urge physicians to prescribe naloxone to patients at risk of overdose and to others who may be able to save a life from unintentional overdose while waiting for naloxone to become available over the counter. Physicians, harm reduction organizations, government and all others must work together to end the drug overdose epidemic.”
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
