Access to Naloxone and Preferences for Its Online Purchase Among Individuals Affected by Opioid Misuse

Introduction Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can prevent deaths in opioid overdose situations. However, barriers to access and purchasing naloxone still exist. Online pharmacies present an important venue to expand access to naloxone. We examined the access to naloxone, counseling for opioid overdose prevention drugs, and preferences regarding online purchase of naloxone among individuals affected by opioid misuse. Methods We conducted an online survey among 504 individuals who were either personally affected or had family members/friends who were affected by the misuse of opioids. Results The study included participants from all 50 US states, among whom 37.5% were personally affected and 30.1% had a family/friend who was affected by opioid misuse. Although 40.3% were current or past users of heroin, and 91.1% of participants or their loved ones had taken prescription opioids, a majority (72.5%) had never purchased or been given a drug to prevent an opioid overdose. The most common barriers to purchasing naloxone included cost (60.5%), inability to get a prescription (30.9%), and unavailability at pharmacies (30.9%). About half of the participants (46.4%) indicated online pharmacy as their first choice for purchasing naloxone. Factors significantly associated with preferring online purchase of naloxone included not being comfortable with talking to a doctor/pharmacist regarding opioid use and previous experience of issues with purchasing naloxone. Conclusions Many individuals who might need naloxone face barriers to getting naloxone from a pharmacy. Availability of naloxone from online pharmacies and higher insurance coverage can significantly increase access and potentially reduce opioid overdose deaths.