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Walgreens now selling naloxone over the counter

The drug will be available without a prescription in 45 states, and Walgreens said they are “eager and willing” to increase that number

By EMS1 Staff

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will now sell naloxone in 8,000 pharmacies across the country.

ABC News reported that the opioid overdose reversal drug will be available without a prescription in 45 states, and Walgreens said they are “eager and willing” to work with other states to make naloxone widely accessible.

“By stocking Narcan in all our pharmacies, we are making it easier for families and caregivers to help their loved ones by having it on hand in case it is needed,” Walgreens said in a statement. “As a pharmacy, we are committed to making Narcan more accessible in the communities we serve.”

The statement added that pharmaceutical wholesaler AmerisourceBergen has given demonstration devices to Walgreens pharmacists so they will know how to instruct patients on proper administration.

“This drug saves lives,” ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said. “Think of this maybe as defibrillator, EpiPen, another piece of lifesaving medical equipment that probably is going to be pretty widespread now.”

“I think the risk here,” Ashton added, “is that people could say, ‘Will this give people a false sense of security and have them use opioids more if they know that they can use this immediate antidote?’”

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