Rite Aid expands naloxone non-prescription availability in six states

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid announced Wednesday that naloxone, a medication that can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is now available at more than 630 pharmacies in Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia without a prescription, subject to state regulations.



“As the epidemic continues to grow, as evidenced in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recent statistic, 91 people die every day from an opioid overdose in the United States,” stated Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid EVP pharmacy. “With the ability to dispense naloxone without a prescription in more than 20 states, Rite Aid is not only showing its commitment to increasing customer access to this potentially lifesaving medication, but we are also raising awareness and helping fight drug abuse in the communities we serve.”



Previously, naloxone, which can be administered by injection or nasal spray, was only available with a physician’s prescription.



Naloxone is also available for purchase without patient specific prescriptions at Rite Aid pharmacies in 17 additional states.



To date, Rite Aid has trained more than 10,000 pharmacists on naloxone dispensing. Rite Aid is also working to expand its naloxone dispensing program in other states served by the Company where naloxone is currently only available with a prescription.