Naloxone, which is capable of reversing the effects of an opioid overdose, has already saved thousands of lives throughout the nation. As one of the country’s biggest pharmacy chains, Rite Aid has made a commitment to ensure consumers across the country are able to access this lifesaving drug in the easiest and cheapest manner possible. Previously, the medication was only available with a prescription. That has changed and Rite Aid has quickly implemented alterations to ensure the medication is readily available to their customers.
On February the 15th, Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) announced that naloxone would now be available at the company’s stores in six additional states. Now, consumers in Louisiana, Georgia, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee will be able to purchase Naloxone at their local Rite Aid store. In total, 630 more pharmacies within Rite Aid’s chain will sell Naloxone to the public. Now, the company sells the lifesaving drug in more than 20 states. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 91 people across the country die from an opioid overdose every day in the United States.
Rite Aid hopes to do their part to decrease that number. The company has already trained over 10,000 pharmacists, so they can dispense naloxone to the public. The company has also taken steps to ensure the medication is available in states where the drug is currently only available with a prescription. To learn more about Rite Aid and naloxone, be sure to check their latest press release here.
