FDA Launches App Competition to Combat Opioid Overdoses read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/936-fda-launches-app-competition-to-combat-opioid-overdoses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a competition to develop a low-cost, scalable, crowd-sourced mobile phone app to help connect opioid users experiencing an overdose with nearby carriers of the prescription drug naloxone, a medication that reverse the effects of opioid overdose.

The FDA, with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is inviting programmers, clinical researchers, public health advocates, innovators and entrepreneurs from all disciplines to create a mobile phone application that can connect opioid users experiencing an overdose with nearby carriers of the prescription drug naloxone.

The Naloxone App Competition, will be conducted by the FDA, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Judges from the FDA, SAMHSA and NIDA will evaluate submissions and will award $40,000 to the entrant with the highest evaluated score.

Those who want to enter the app competition have until October 7 to register. Registrants will have access to background resources, including information on the opioid epidemic, the approved formulations of naloxone, the public health recommendations for the safe and appropriate use of naloxone, as well as FDA guidance on mobile medical apps.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will host an onsite code-a-thon October 19 and 20 at its campus and virtually for registered entrants to develop their concepts and initial prototypes. The agency said that all code will be made open-source and publicly accessible.

Participants will be required to submit a video of a functional prototype along with a brief summary of their concept for the development and use of the app by November 7. The FDA’s announcement in the Federal Register is available on website.