US researchers identify new method to strengthen treatment of fentanyl overdoses
- The synthetic opioid, accounting for almost 70 per cent of drug overdose deaths in US, has been a flashpoint in relations with China, which Washington links to traffickers
Researchers in the United States say they have found a way to greatly strengthen the treatment of fentanyl overdose, a leading cause of death for Americans younger than 45.
The team led by scientists from Washington University in St Louis, the University of Florida and Stanford University published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on Wednesday.
While the new chemical compound is in its early drug discovery stages, the researchers say it also has the potential to save people overdosing on even stronger opioids in the future.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin. The US National Center for Health Statistics estimated that almost 75,000 people died from fentanyl overdose in 2023, accounting for almost 70 per cent of drug overdose deaths in the country.
America’s fentanyl crisis has long been a flashpoint in US-China relations. US lawmakers from both parties have criticised China’s role as a primary source for the precursor chemicals that produce fentanyl trafficked into the US, but the administration of US President Joe Biden has been working with Beijing to tackle the issue.
China rejects criticism that it is fuelling the opioid crisis and says the US should tighten its domestic controls “rather than blaming others”.
