SC New York News

Binghamton, NY – With New York’s 19th Congressional District now the epicenter of the state’s opioid epidemic, U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today urged Governor Kathy Hochul to approve the statewide use of Opvee, an FDA-approved and federally insured reversal agent proven to quickly counter painkillers, fentanyl, and heroin overdoses. In Broome County, Sheriff Fred Akshar has already successfully deployed the use of Opvee through the ‘Fentanyl Fighter’ pilot program, which trains deputies and corrections officers to administer this lifesaving medication alongside Naloxone, also known as Narcan.

In New York, the state has only approved the use of one opioid reversal agent, Naloxone, while thirty-four states across the country have authorized the use of all FDA-approved opioid reversal agents. By authorizing Opvee, which is believed to be a stronger reversal agent, some of these states have seen a decrease in overdoses of up to 15 percent.

In a letter to Governor Hochul, Rep. Molinaro urged her to examine the progress other states are making with Opvee and to approve it for statewide use.

Rep. Molinaro wrote, "New York continues to lag behind the nation in the availability of opioid reversal medications. With limited tools utilized to prevent opioid overdoses, Upstate New Yorkers remain at the epicenter of this crisis. Limiting the state's use of reversal agents to only naloxone is counterproductive to tackling a crisis that has worsened with the spread of lethal fentanyl."

Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said, “Opvee is working exactly as we had anticipated, successfully restoring normal breathing and bringing unresponsive victims back when Narcan doesn’t seem to be enough. The Broome County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to saving lives whenever possible in our community, and this new tool is making that job easier when every minute counts. It’s important to have as many FDA-approved tools available as we can to fight these synthetic killers, and we appreciate Congressman Molinaro’s efforts to bring more tools to the table.”

The full text of Rep. Molinaro's letter can be found below:

Dear Governor Hochul,

As you know, New York continues to lag behind the nation in the availability of opioid reversal medications. With limited tools utilized to prevent opioid overdoses, Upstate New Yorkers, particularly those within the 19th Congressional District, remain at the epicenter of this crisis. Opvee, an FDA-approved and federally insured reversal agent has proven effective and safe in quickly countering overdoses of prescription painkillers, fentanyl, and heroin. I urge you to approve Opvee for use in New York State and expand the state’s toolkit of overdose reversal agents to save more lives amid this public health emergency.

Limiting the state’s use of reversal agents to only naloxone is counterproductive in tackling a crisis that has worsened with lethal fentanyl's spread. Thirty-four states across the country have authorized using all FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal agents by first responders. According to Friends of Recovery New York Nebraska Kansas Maine Indiana saw an estimated 15 percent decrease in overdoses in 2023 among largest decreases nation All four states permitted using all forms dosages FDA-approved Clearly robust expansive toolkit safe effective saves lives

Experiencing among highest rates Broome leading effort expanding toolkit through “Fentanyl Fighter” pilot program allows county deputies correctional officers carry addition save lives prevent deaths Accompanied proper training deployment accurate data collection track success offers lawmakers critical insight ways adapt changing landscape challenge

New Yorkers know toll taken on individuals families must act expand availability help address rapidly advancing You promised aggressively tackle urge authorize treatments save

Thank you for your consideration look forward prompt response