North of the border, Rexall now stocks naloxone in all pharmacies
Rexall Drugstore on Thursday announced that its pharmacies are now stocked with naloxone kits available in each of its 446 store locations in Canada. Patients do not need a prescription to get a naloxone kit.
In addition, Rexall’s pharmacists have received enhanced training that will enable them to educate patients, family members or friends on the risks associated with opioids and assist in assessing and responding to potential overdose using naloxone. Since December, there has been a 150% increase in the number of naloxone kits that have been dispensed by Rexall pharmacists
“Accidental opioid overdoses can happen to anyone, any time. At a time when deaths due to accidental opioid overdoses continues to rise in all provinces, Rexall has significantly increased access to a life-saving treatment by making Naloxone kits more available at every one of our stores in Canada,” Beth Newlands Campbell, president, Rexall, said. “Naloxone kits are not just for recreational drug users. There are thousands of Canadians that currently have an opioid prescription and are taking their medication appropriately. Unfortunately, they too are at risk of an accidental overdose and should have a kit on-hand.”
Rexall pharmacists are playing a more integrated role in the delivery of primary care services, and are an influential membera patient’s health care team. With the enhanced level of training Rexall pharmacists have received, they are better prepared to provide counselling to patients on the appropriate use of opioids and other controlled substances.
“Our pharmacists are an important and reliable source of information and they can talk to patients, family members or friends not just about the dangers around opioids, but also provide instructions and training on how to properly use a naloxone kit,” Newlands Campbell, said.
In addition, Rexall’s pharmacists have received enhanced training that will enable them to educate patients, family members or friends on the risks associated with opioids and assist in assessing and responding to potential overdose using naloxone. Since December, there has been a 150% increase in the number of naloxone kits that have been dispensed by Rexall pharmacists
“Accidental opioid overdoses can happen to anyone, any time. At a time when deaths due to accidental opioid overdoses continues to rise in all provinces, Rexall has significantly increased access to a life-saving treatment by making Naloxone kits more available at every one of our stores in Canada,” Beth Newlands Campbell, president, Rexall, said. “Naloxone kits are not just for recreational drug users. There are thousands of Canadians that currently have an opioid prescription and are taking their medication appropriately. Unfortunately, they too are at risk of an accidental overdose and should have a kit on-hand.”
Rexall pharmacists are playing a more integrated role in the delivery of primary care services, and are an influential membera patient’s health care team. With the enhanced level of training Rexall pharmacists have received, they are better prepared to provide counselling to patients on the appropriate use of opioids and other controlled substances.
“Our pharmacists are an important and reliable source of information and they can talk to patients, family members or friends not just about the dangers around opioids, but also provide instructions and training on how to properly use a naloxone kit,” Newlands Campbell, said.