Opioid overdose, often via self-prescribing, is a hot topic in the U.S. (and other countries). Many in the population are becoming over-reliant upon potent painkillers, and such painkillers are very addictive and can lead to adverse side-effects. In addition to prescription-only remedies, cases of addition to illegal opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl remain high.
In a quest to find new ways to educate the U.S. public, the FDA is turning to software developers. This is through the 2016 Naloxone App Competition.
With a first prize of $40,000, the competition asks computer programmers to build a mobile app to connect those who overdose on opioids with carriers of naloxone. Naloxone is the antidote for overdosing on opioids. When given intravenously, it works within two minutes, and when injected into a muscle, it works within five minutes. The idea is that the app would indicate a nearby treatment center.
Key pointers with the app, according to The Washington Post, include low-cost, scalable and rapid, with the ability to function on a range of mobile devices. The app should not only pinpoint treatment centers but also educate laypersons on how to recognise an overdose and administer naloxone. General first aid tips could also be included.
Discussing the competition, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told PharmaPhorum: “With a dramatic increase in the number of opioid overdose deaths in the US, there’s a vital need to harness the power of new technologies to quickly and effectively link individuals experiencing an overdose – or a bystander such as a friend or family member – with someone who carries and can administer the life-saving medication.”
The FDA head said further: “Through this competition, we are tapping public health-focused innovators to help bring technological solutions to a real-world problem that is costing the US thousands of lives each year.”
The FDA project is being launched in collaboration with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The competition closes on October 7, 2016. Those shortlisted will then have until November 7 to submit a functioning prototype.
