CAMP HILL, Pa., 2016-Aug-30 — /EPR Retail News/ — Rite Aid announced today (Aug. 29, 2016) that naloxone, a medication that can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is now available at their pharmacies in 13 states without a prescription, subject to state regulations. Previously, naloxone, which can be administered by injection or nasal spray, was only available with a physician’s prescription.
Naloxone is now available for purchase without patient specific prescriptions at Rite Aid pharmacies in 13 states including: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
“As a community healthcare provider, we have a responsibility to do our part in the fight against opioid abuse and that’s why Rite Aid has made it a priority to expand access to this life-saving medication in the communities we serve,” said Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. “By making naloxone available without a prescription at our pharmacies, we are doing our part to help save lives and address the issue of opioid abuse in our country.”
Opioid misuse and abuse continues to be an in issue in the United States; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014, opioid overdoses were involved in 28,647 deaths, more than any year on record.
Rite Aid is committed to making naloxone more accessible in the communities it serves. To date, the Company has trained more than 10,000 pharmacists on naloxone dispensing. Rite Aid is also working to expand its naloxone dispensing program in other states served by the Company where naloxone is currently only available with a prescription.
Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2016 annual revenues of $30.7 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at www.riteaid.com.
Media Contact:
Kristin Kellum
717-975-5713
Source:Rite Aid Corporation