Narcan availability at retail on the rise

TOLEDO, Ohio - The availability of Narcan (naloxone) is expanding, with reports that Walgreens on Monday announced the availability of the antidote to opioid overdoses across some 450 stores in New York and CVS Health announcing the availability of the drug throughout Ohio beginning in late March. 

 

In December, Rite Aid became the first pharmacy to make naloxone available in New Hampshire. 

 

“The heroin and opioid crisis is the most pressing public health and safety challenge facing our state, and while we work to support law enforcement and strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery efforts, we must also do everything that we can to save lives when an overdose takes place,” N.H. Gov. Maggie Hassan said. “I thank Rite Aid for their leadership in working with the State to sign a standing order that makes Narcan available in their New Hampshire locations, and I encourage other pharmacies to follow Rite Aid’s example to help increase access to this life-saving emergency treatment.”

 

"We support expanding naloxone availability and we applaud the State of Ohio for its leadership in the fight against drug abuse and addiction," stated Tom Davis, VP pharmacy professional practices CVS/pharmacy. "Today's announcement builds on the commitment CVS Health made last October when President Obama announced new public and private sector actions to address prescription drug abuse and heroin use," said White House Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli. "Expanding access to the lifesaving overdose-reversal drug naloxone is a critical part of our national strategy to stop the opioid overdose epidemic, along with effective enforcement, prevention, and treatment."

 

CVS/pharmacy already offers naloxone without a prescription in 12 states including: Arkansas, California, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.