Walgreens Boots Alliance has declared that it would be hoarding up on Narcan, an over-the -counter naloxone drug approved by the FDA, in all its pharmacies in the U.S. to reverse the impact of opioid medicines such as prescription painkillers and heroin. The President of Walgreens was reportedly quoted stating that the firm is dedicated to make the drug easily available for all the communities that it serves. In fact, consumers across forty-five states of the U.S. can now avail the medication, which can be administered in the humans as a nasal spray, without providing any medical prescription.
CVS Health, Walgreens’ principal business competitor, had reportedly not commented on company’s decision immediately, though their official website states that consumers, who do not have an insurance coverage, can receive a USD 35 voucher to assist them in making payments for the drug. As per one of the key officials of The U.S. State Department of Health, most of the insurance plans have been aiding users for drug payment, though the policies differ from one another.
A spokesperson of The U.S. State Department of Health was also quoted stating that Walgreens declaration of stocking the drug is a part of the rising trend witnessed across various drug stores of the country. The department further proclaimed its support for all the pharmacies to stock Narcan in their drug stores.
According to the district attorney, Lancaster County had witnessed approximately 5,000 cases of drug overdoses in the earlier part of 2014. Medical records state that this number has increased substantially in recent times. Nearly 2500 people affected due to over consumption of opioid had died in Pennsylvania during 2014. Experts further claim that nearly 142 Americans die due to drug overdose each day.
After the incident, in October 2015, State physician General Dr. Rachel Levine issued a standing order to make the Narcan easily available in Pennsylvania.