Emergent BioSolutions Leverages Athlete Partnership to Boost NARCAN® Awareness in Canada
Event summary
- Emergent BioSolutions partnered with professional baseball player Davis Schneider to raise awareness of NARCAN® Nasal Spray among Canadians.
- Schneider is sharing his family’s story of opioid loss as part of Emergent’s Opioid Crisis Impact Map.
- Canada is experiencing an opioid poisoning epidemic, with approximately 17 lives lost daily.
- Emergent has distributed over 100 million NARCAN® Nasal Spray doses in Canada and the U.S. since 2018.
- NARCAN® Nasal Spray is currently available at no cost in several Canadian provinces and territories through public health programs.
The big picture
Emergent BioSolutions is leveraging a high-profile athlete partnership to address a critical public health crisis in Canada. The opioid epidemic represents a significant market opportunity for overdose reversal medications, but also carries reputational and regulatory risks. This initiative underscores the growing trend of pharmaceutical companies engaging in social impact marketing to build brand trust and navigate complex ethical considerations.
What we're watching
- Public Perception
- The effectiveness of the partnership with Davis Schneider in reducing the stigma surrounding opioid use and increasing NARCAN® adoption will be a key indicator of Emergent's broader public health strategy.
- Government Funding
- Continued reliance on provincial and territorial programs for NARCAN® distribution creates exposure to shifts in government priorities and funding allocations, potentially impacting Emergent’s sales.
- Competitive Landscape
- The emergence of alternative opioid overdose reversal treatments could erode NARCAN®’s market share and necessitate further promotional efforts from Emergent.
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