Some pharmacy chains decide in
A number of main pharmacy retailer chains plan to make the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan out there nationwide and not using a prescription beginning in early September.
Narcan, the nasal spray model of the lifesaving drug naloxone, will promote at Walgreens shops for $44.99, the corporate introduced Wednesday. It will likely be out there at choose shops and on-line as quickly as Sept. 5, with nationwide availability throughout almost 9,000 shops on Sept. 7, the corporate mentioned.
CVS Pharmacy, Ceremony Assist, Walmart and Kroger additionally will start promoting Narcan over-the-counter on the similar worth in early September, spokespeople for the businesses informed USA TODAY. The remedy shall be out there on-line and in shops at each chains.
Narcan qualifies as a medical expense for healthsavings accounts and versatile spending accounts, CVS famous.
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The announcement comes after the Meals and Drug Administration in March accepted promoting the nasal spray over-the-counter as a approach to fight opioid overdoses, together with of heroin, prescription opioid medicines and fentanyl. Advocates had lengthy pushed to enhance entry to the drug and not using a prescription or pharmacist’s advice amid the opioid epidemic.
“We’re dedicated to educating and making it simpler for all Individuals to have this life-saving medication out there of their first assist kits in case of an emergency,” Dr. Kevin Ban, government vice chairman and chief medical officer for Walgreens, mentioned in a press release. “All of us should acknowledge that overdoses can occur to anybody, no matter age, background or different elements. As a number one healthcare firm, offering entry to OTC naloxone creates a possibility for bystanders, family and friends members to doubtlessly save a life. Within the occasion of an overdose, each second issues.”
Fentanyl accounted for greater than 67,000 preventable deaths in 2021, which represents a 21% enhance since 2020, in accordance with the Nationwide Security Council.
Walgreens mentioned it could work with Finish Overdose, a nonprofit that works finish drug-related overdose deaths, to teach folks about utilizing the nasal spray. It ought to be administered as quickly as somebody reveals indicators of an opioid overdose, and it doesn’t take the place of emergency medical care. It’s essential to name 911 earlier than utilizing the remedy.
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“This community-first effort with Walgreens will hopefully empower everybody to really feel comfy carrying and administering naloxone nasal spray,” Theo Krzywicki, CEO and founding father of Finish Overdose, mentioned in a press release. “Simply as you would possibly carry different first assist gadgets, this will and ought to be one thing that’s accessible to all.”
Neighborhood well being departments, faculties, and police and hearth departments have already got supplied entry to Narcan.
CONTRIBUTING: Adrianna Rodriguez and Minnah Arshad
Eduardo Cuevas covers well being and breaking information for USA TODAY. He might be reached at EMCuevas1@usatoday.com.
