Emergent BioSolutions Releases New Survey Findings Underscoring the Need to Continue Expanding Access & Increasing Awareness to Naloxone
May 01 2024 - 11:03AM
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced the results
of a new national public opinion survey showing that more than 90
percent of Americans surveyed recognize opioid overdoses are a
pressing concern for teenagers and college students, and more than
9 in 10 parents in the survey agree schools should do more to
educate on the risks of opioids and how to respond to an overdose.
Conducted by Bryter Global on behalf of Emergent, the survey
revealed significant support among Americans – and specifically
among parents – for measures aimed at enhancing opioid education
and access to lifesaving interventions within school settings. This
was the case even though the majority of those surveyed greatly
underestimated the number of overdose deaths caused by opioids each
year (the median response was 10,000 lives, when in reality, the
CDC reports more than 107,000 lives were lost to drug overdose in
2022, of which, 8 in 10 were opioid related).
Key Survey
Findings1Approximately 90 percent
of total respondents/adults (18+), including parents surveyed
agree:
- The number of opioid deaths is unacceptable, and they would
help save someone from an opioid overdose, given the
opportunity
- It’s important for NARCAN® Nasal Spray to be available and
accessible to buy over-the-counter (OTC) without the need for a
prescription
- Opioid overdose is a concern for teenagers and college
students
- It’s important for all schools, public libraries and
dormitories to have NARCAN® Nasal Spray available in case of
an opioid overdose emergency
- It is important for parents, teachers, coaches and others who
spend time with teenagers and college kids in a professional
capacity to have access to NARCAN® Nasal Spray
- First aid kits should be equipped with this life-saving
treatment
The concern among parents is significant, with 87 percent of
survey participants agreeing that the opioid epidemic in America is
getting worse. Parents believe a more robust national conversation
could be part of the solution. Nearly 9-in-10 parents surveyed
believe normalizing the topic of opioid overdose and reversal
treatments like naloxone could help save lives.
“Americans, particularly parents, realize that protecting and
saving the lives of our youth from an opioid overdose is a moral
imperative and a fundamental responsibility of our society,” said
Joe Papa, president and CEO of Emergent. “When facing an opioid
overdose minutes matter, and immediate access to life-saving
interventions like NARCAN® Nasal Spray can mean the difference
between life and death. We are committed to continuing our efforts
to equip educators, students, parents and communities with the
tools, resources, and training they need to combat the opioid
epidemic and protect our youth.”
The Opioid Crisis Among America’s Youth is Increasing -
There is an Urgent Need to do More
A NEJM study reported that twenty-two high school age
adolescents died each week in 2022 from an accidental overdose
driven by fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills.
In a joint letter to educators last year aimed at combatting the
rising opioid epidemic among adolescents, the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the U.S. Department of
Education issued a call to action for every school in the United
States to carry naloxone.
CDC data found that two-thirds of adolescent drug poisoning
deaths occurred with one or more potential bystanders present, but
most provided no overdose response.
And equally critical, is data from Regan Udall that indicates
potential bystanders were present but unable to provide life-saving
measures such as naloxone in nearly half of fatal overdoses in
2021.
Emergent Efforts to Build Awareness, Education of
NARCAN® Nasal Spray
NARCAN® Nasal Spray received the first ever OTC U.S. FDA
approval in March 2023, empowering individuals to take proactive
measures in responding to opioid emergencies, with the potential to
save countless lives.
Emergent is working to ensure that NARCAN® Nasal Spray is
readily accessible in critical settings like schools, colleges, and
sporting events, where the risk of opioid overdose is
heightened.
In October 2023, Emergent launched Ready to Rescue, a national
public awareness campaign intended to break down the stigma
associated with opioid overdose and educate the public about risks
associated with opioids and how to be prepared with NARCAN® Nasal
Spray. The company is continuing to spread this message and at
several college campuses across the U.S.
Across college campuses in 2023, and heading into 2024, Emergent
is helping to raise awareness of the signs of an opioid overdose,
offer NARCAN® Nasal Spray resources, and provide educational Ready
to Rescue kits for attendees.
About
NARCAN® Nasal
Spray
NARCAN® Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray 4 mg is the first
FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) 4 mg naloxone product for the
emergency treatment of opioid overdose. NARCAN® Nasal Spray is
not a substitute for emergency medical care. Repeat dosing may be
necessary. Use as directed.
About Emergent BioSolutions
At Emergent, our mission is to protect and enhance life. For 25
years, we’ve been at work defending people from things we hope will
never happen—so we are prepared just in case they ever do. We
provide solutions for complex and urgent public health threats
through a portfolio of vaccines and therapeutics that we develop
and manufacture for governments and consumers. We also offer a
range of integrated contract development and manufacturing services
for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. To learn more about
how we plan to protect or enhance 1 billion lives by 2030, visit
our website and follow us
on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Apple
Podcasts and Spotify.
1 Bryter Inc. interviewed 1,005 American adults online between
April 24 through April 28, 2024. The survey was designed to be
representative of the American adult population a whole by age,
gender, region and HHI (+/-3%). Aggregate data was tested for
statistical significance at the 95% confidence level. Data on
file.
Investor Contact:Richard S. LindahlExecutive Vice President,
CFOlindahlr@ebsi.com
Media Contact:Assal HellmerVice President,
Communicationsmediarelations@ebsi.com
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