Walgreens brings prescription-free naloxone to Michigan

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Michigan residents can now get naloxone without a prescription at more than 225 Walgreens locations in the state. With the Tuesday announcement, Walgreens has now made the opioid overdose reversal drug, which can be administered as an injection or a nasal spray, available in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

“By making naloxone available without a prescription, we are making it easier for Michigan families and caregivers to help their loved ones by having it on hand in case it’s needed,” Walgreens’ Michigan regional healthcare director, Chad Downing, sais. “As a pharmacy we are here to help people, and we are committed to making naloxone more accessible in the communities we serve.”

Besides its efforts to provide naloxone in states where regulations allow, Walgreens also has installed safe medication disposal kiosks in 600 pharmacies across the United States.

“Efforts to fight the growing opioid addiction epidemic are all about more second chances and less funerals,” Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley said. “Making naloxone readily available in our pharmacies is an important preventative step and we appreciate Walgreens continued partnership and commitment to this issue.”