WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health
(NYSE: CVS) today announced it will expand access to the opioid
overdose-reversal drug naloxone in seven additional states this
summer, contributing to a total of 30 states where the life-saving
medication will be more accessible to CVS Pharmacy patients. CVS
Health's naloxone program establishes a standing order with a
physician in the state, which permits CVS Pharmacists to dispense
naloxone to patients without an individual prescription.
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"Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdose
and by expanding availability of this medication, we can save lives
and give more people a chance to get the help they need for
recovery," said Tom Davis, RPh, Vice
President of Pharmacy Professional Practices at CVS Pharmacy. "By
establishing a physician-authorized standing order that allows our
pharmacies to dispense naloxone to patients without an individual
prescription, we strengthen our commitment to helping the
communities we serve begin to address the challenges of
prescription drug abuse."
Expansion of the company's naloxone program will begin with
New Mexico in late May; followed
by Louisiana in early June;
Florida in early July;
Colorado, Idaho and Oregon in mid-July; and Washington in early August. Naloxone is
already available without a prescription at CVS Pharmacy locations
through standing order or collaborative practice agreements in 23
states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New
Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Tennessee,
Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
"Expanding access to the overdose-reversal drug naloxone is a
critical part of our national strategy to stop the prescription
drug and heroin overdose epidemic – along with effective
prevention, treatment, and enforcement," said Michael Botticelli,
Director of National Drug Control Policy. "Thanks to efforts on
naloxone like those announced today by CVS Health, more Americans
will have access to this lifesaving drug."
The move to expand access to naloxone builds on CVS Health's
longstanding commitment to help communities address and prevent
drug abuse through education, outreach and safe medication
disposal. Patients visiting CVS.com can find recently launched drug
abuse prevention resources for themselves and their families.
The company has also launched a community outreach program called
Pharmacists Teach, which brings local pharmacists to high school
health classes to talk to students about the dangers of drug abuse.
More than 80,000 students have already been part of the program.
High schools across the country can learn more about bringing
Pharmacists Teach to their school here.
CVS Health has also joined with the Partnership for Drug-Free
Kids for the Medication Disposal for Safer Communities Program,
which has donated more than 500 drug disposal units to police
departments around the country. The program gives members of the
community a safe and environmentally friendly way to dispose of
unwanted medication and has already collected more than 35 metric
tons of prescription drugs. Police departments across the country
can apply to receive a drug collection unit from the program
here.
"CVS Health has been a leader in the work of helping communities
prevent prescription drug abuse," said Marcia Lee Taylor, President and CEO,
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. "In addition to proper disposal of
unwanted medication, increasing access to naloxone is a critical
public health priority that allows patients and their families to
prevent opioid fatalities and recognize when people need help
working towards recovery from the disease of addiction."
About CVS Health:
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation
company helping people on their path to better health. Through its
more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical
clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million
plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving
more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty
pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and
communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways.
This unique integrated model increases access to quality care,
delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care
costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the
future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contact:
Erin Shields
Britt
Corporate Communications
401-770-9237
Erin.Britt@CVSHealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health