A Teva building in Jerusalem, Dec. 14, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Ammar Awad.

CTech – On Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration announced the first-of-its-kind approval of a generic nasal spray for opioid overdose treatment, manufactured by the US branch of Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

Teva’s drug is the first generic product to receive final approval that does not require medical training to use. Commonly known as Narcan, the spray is considered a life-saving medication. The FDA stated it is working towards approving other generic products for the treatment of opioid overdose.

Growing awareness in the US of the risks associated with opioid over-prescription and overuse has led to a backlash against industry practices carried out by drugmakers. Several lawsuits have been filed in the US against opioid manufacturers, Teva among them.

The opioid epidemic — according to the FDA, around 130 Americans die every day from opioid-related causes — has also led to regulatory debate at the national level, spearheaded by the US Department of Health and Human Services.