Ky. WellCare, Ky. Pharmacists Assn. team on naloxone access
TAMPA, Fla. and LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two Kentucky health organizations have teamed up in an effort to provide naloxone to patients who need it. WellCare Kentucky — a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans — is making 1,000 twist-on naloxone nasal atomizers available for free, and pharmacists will provide them to Medicaid recipients and patients who don’t have insurance without a prescription, to be given to parents, spouses, roommates or friends to administer in case of an emergency.
“WellCare and the Kentucky Pharmacists Association are being proactive in helping people battle opioid addiction,” WellCare SVP, division president and Medicaid product Kelly Munson said. “We believe in educating toward prevention, assisting and treating when needed, and being ready in cases of emergency.”
The atomizers are foam cones that can twist onto the naloxone syringe and allows the drug to be delivered as a nasal spray rather than as an injection. Pharmacists began picking up the atomizers Friday in Louisville. Medicaid recipients and individuals without insurance who want to receive a take-home naloxone with an atomizer can check with their local pharmacy for availability, and those who don’t receive Medicaid benefits can check with their health insurer for information about how to get naloxone.
“It's important for family and friends of people struggling with opioid addiction, especially those who are recovering, to have access to naloxone in an easy-to-use application,” Kentucky Pharmacists Association president Chris Clifton said. “We are grateful to WellCare of Kentucky for their generous contribution, which absolutely can save lives.”