Johnson & Johnson said as many as 800 healthcare centers are approved to administer its ketamine-like antidepressant, which was approved by the FDA last month, according to CNBC.
The drug, esketamine, which will be sold as the nasal spray Spravato, has been highly anticipated by psychiatrists as a powerful new tool to fight intractable depression. The spray acts within hours, rather than weeks or months as current antidepressants do. But a component of the drug, the anesthetic ketamine, a once-popular party drug known as Special K, has sparked concern about its long-term use.
The FDA approved the drug with restrictions to address those concerns. One of the conditions is that the drug must be administered at certified healthcare clinics where patients can be monitored.
Since receiving FDA approval March 5, J&J has certified up to 800 sites, putting the company "well on track" with its plans for the year, Jennifer Taubert, executive vice president of pharmaceuticals for J&J said on an earnings call, according to CNBC.
"We believe that we’re off to a very, very strong start with Spravato, and that it is going to be an important growth driver for us," Ms. Taubert said.