FDA launching new app competition to help combat heroin over

food and drug administration. 47 abc’s michelle mackonochie has the details. “when seconds matter you’re going to save some seconds when gps app is able to identify an issue.” track 1 the issue — in this case — would be locating the nearest available naloxone — known as the opioid and heroin antidote. this week — the f-d-a announced a nationwide competition — calling all coders — to create a smartphone app — intended to connect people with first responders in the case of an overdose. naloxone still requires a prescription in the u-s — but many states have worked to provide it to first responders — law enforcement — and family members of heroin and opioid users. but the f-d-a says an app could help save more lives. “if they have what they need to respond when theres an overdose and this app and someone triggers a response that’s going to allow them to react more quickly than if someone picks up the phone and calls 911.” track 2 bill premo is the network manager at umes – and he thinks the app could help a lot — if it has a smart design. in premo’s view – this means accurate tracking — and steps about how to use naloxone properly. “because we have improved communication – because everyone has a cell phone – we can improve the time to respond when there is an emergency so i see using technology in a good way in that way.” “with an intelligent design and with the good intentions of the app it will be successful.” track 3 pharmacy student brittney brooks-grey agrees. “i think it will be very effective especially since this is the technology era everyone’s on their phone or on their computer so apps are a really great way so if someone is under stress you can easily get to the app if you don’t know what to do or get to someone who could be a first responder and really help the person out.” track 4 the f-d-a also says that the app should provide information about preventing overdoses. “sometimes just traditional ways of looking at a newspaper might not work so we have to kind of reach the masses.” track 5 michelle mackonochie 47 abc. the competition will start tomorrow and will go through november 7th. the winner will walk away with 40-thousand dollars to continue developing their product. the fda is also reportedly collaborating with the federal business innovation research program to help the winner kick-start their company. and staying on the topic of opioid overdose treatment — the makers of