WOONSOCKET, R.I., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health
(NYSE: CVS) announced today that the opioid overdose-reversal
medication naloxone is now available for patients without a
prescription at all CVS Pharmacy locations in Washington.
Under a collaborative agreement with a physician in the state, CVS
pharmacists can exercise prescriptive authority to dispense the
medication. In addition to Washington, CVS Pharmacy locations in 30 other
states are able to dispense naloxone to patients without an
individual prescription. The company's move to increase
access to naloxone builds on its other efforts to reduce drug
abuse, including prevention education and safe drug
disposal.
"Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses
and by expanding access to this medication in our Washington pharmacies for patients without a
prescription, we can help save lives," said Tom Davis, RPh, Vice President of Pharmacy
Professional Practices at CVS Pharmacy. "We are dedicated to
helping the communities we serve address and prevent drug abuse and
we are expanding access to naloxone to give more people a chance to
get the help they need for recovery."
"The impact of drug abuse has been felt by our families and
friends across the state of Washington. It is a crisis that impacts people
of every age, income level and race and involves prescription
medications and illegal drugs," Governor Jay Inslee said. "I commend CVS for making the
lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone available
directly from a pharmacist, and for providing safe disposal options
for unwanted medications. To address this epidemic we need the
public and private sector working together on options such as this
for our communities. Please visit www.stopoverdose.org to learn how
to prevent and respond to an opioid overdose."
Efforts to increase access to naloxone build on CVS Health's
longstanding commitment to helping communities address and prevent
drug abuse. CVS Health has 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. Law enforcement officials across
Washington can apply to receive a
drug collection unit here.
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
Washington can learn more about
bringing Pharmacists Teach to their school here.
And, CVS Health has launched digital resources online at
www.cvs.com/content/prescription-drug-abuse, giving patients and
families a single destination to learn more about drug abuse
prevention.
About CVS Health
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) 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