SANTA FE, N.M., June 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE:
CVS) was joined today by U.S. Congressman Ben Ray Luján,
New Mexico Secretary of Health
Lynn Gallagher and Santa Fe County Sheriff Robert A. Garcia to highlight the availability
of naloxone, the opioid overdose-reversal medicine, at all CVS
Pharmacy locations in New Mexico.
Naloxone is now available to patients without a prescription under
a physician's standing order in the state.
"Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses
and by expanding access to this medication in our New Mexico pharmacies by the use of a standing
order for patients without a prescription, we can help save lives,"
said Tom Davis, RPh, Vice President
of Pharmacy Professional Practices at CVS Pharmacy. "We support
expanding naloxone availability to give more people a chance to get
the help they need for recovery and we applaud Congressman Luján
and leaders across New Mexico for
their leadership in the fight against drug abuse and
addiction."
"Throughout New Mexico, families are being hurt by the opioid
drug crisis and communities are being torn apart. While there
are countless people on the frontlines fighting to help our
families, our friends, and our neighbors who struggle with drug
abuse, it is clear that we must do more," said Congressman Ben Ray
Luján. "That is why today, I am proud to stand alongside CVS
as they work to increase access to the lifesaving drug
naloxone. Naloxone is a critical treatment for people who are
experiencing an opioid overdose, and making it more accessible will
save lives. This is a good step in the right direction and I
will continue my efforts to fight for more resources that will make
treatment and prevention more affordable and accessible for those
who want and need help."
Luján recently spearheaded the introduction of legislation to
provide $1.1 billion to combat the
opioid crisis and guided legislation through the House of
Representatives to reauthorize residential treatment programs for
pregnant and postpartum women dealing with substance abuse.
Additionally, he has been appointed to the Opioids Bill Conference
Committee that will work out differences between House and Senate
passed legislation.
"Naloxone is an important tool for law enforcement, which is why
we have launched the agency's first ever community-wide naloxone
program," said Santa Fe County
Sheriff Robert A. Garcia. "Naloxone
is now being used in the field by Santa
Fe County Sheriff's deputies, who are trained in the use of
naloxone and often have naloxone kits and CPR face masks in their
assigned cruisers. We have seen this medication save lives and we
are glad to see community partners like CVS Pharmacy increase
access to naloxone here in Santa
Fe and across the state."
CVS Health has also launched digital resources on
www.cvs.com/content/prescription-drug-abuse giving patients and
families a single destination to learn more about drug abuse
prevention. These resources build on CVS Health's longstanding
commitment to helping communities address and prevent drug abuse.
In 2015, CVS Health 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 100,000 students have already taken part in the program.
High school teachers and administrators in New Mexico can learn more about bringing
Pharmacists Teach to their school at www.cvshealth.com.
CVS Health has also joined with the Partnership for Drug-Free
Kids to create the Medication Disposal for Safer Communities
Program, which donates disposal units to local police departments,
providing a safe and environmentally friendly way to dispose of
unwanted medication. Police departments in New Mexico can apply to receive a drug
collection unit at www.cvs.com/safercommunities.
In addition to New Mexico, CVS
Pharmacy locations in 29 states will be able to dispense naloxone
to patients without an individual prescription by August 2016.
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