In Washington, D.C., officials announced a pilot program of vending machines with Narcan and fentanyl testing strips in areas across the district.
The program will see six vending machines installed across the district, with each of them including the nasal treatment for opioid overdoses as well as the testing strips, which will be available at all times of the day.
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The vending machines will be installed in areas "with higher than average rates of drug overdose and unhoused populations," per DC Health.
Four vending machines have already been installed, three located at local fire stations and one at the Whitman Walker Health Center. Two more vending machines will be installed at a later date.
"This pilot project will evaluate the utilization patterns and positive impact these products have on the wellbeing of vulnerable communities in the area," DC Health said in the announcement.
The announcement came less than a week after the Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter sales of Narcan, becoming the first nasal treatment for opioid overdoses ever approved for OTC use.
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“Today’s landmark FDA OTC approval for Narcan Nasal Spray marks a historic milestone as we have delivered on our commitment to make this important emergency treatment widely accessible, given the alarming rates of opioid overdoses occurring across the country,” Robert Kramer, president and CEO of Narcan's manufacturer Emergent BioSolutions said in a statement last week.
Details about the over-the-counter price and availability of Narcan are set to be announced by Emergent BioSolutions at a later date.