[PSA] To US vendors: Naloxone just became available over the counter in 14 states. Put it on your menu if you live in one of them.

Naloxone (brand name: Narcan) is the drug they shoot you up with at the hospital/ambulance if you overdose on opioids. It does not get you high, but it competes for opiate receptors and knocks out other opiates that might be binding already and blocks others from binding at those receptors. It just became available over-the-counter at CVS pharmacies in 14 states.

Most opiate users don't have access to this stuff, but it could save lives. Vendors should think about vending it if they live near a CVS in these states:

CVS Will Sell Naloxone Without Prescription in 14 States

By Join Together Staff

September 24th, 2015

CVS announced it will add 12 states to its program to sell the opioid overdose antidote naloxone without a prescription, bringing the total to 14. The company already sells naloxone without a prescription in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

"Over 44,000 people die from accidental drug overdoses every year in the United States and most of those deaths are from opioids, including controlled substance pain medication and illegal drugs such as heroin," Tom Davis, Vice President of Pharmacy Professional Practices at CVS, said in a statement. "Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses and by providing access to this medication in our pharmacies without a prescription in more states, we can help save lives."

The states included in Wednesday's announcement are Arkansas, California, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin. According to The Huffington Post, pharmacy boards in these states can make decisions about offering naloxone without a prescription.

"While all 7,800 CVS/pharmacy stores nationwide can continue to order and dispense naloxone when a prescription is presented, we support expanding naloxone availability without a prescription and are reviewing opportunities to do so in other states," Davis said.

Use of naloxone kits resulted in almost 27,000 drug overdose reversals between 1996 and 2014, according to a government study published earlier this year. Providing naloxone kits to laypersons reduces overdose deaths, is safe, and is cost-effective, the researchers noted.

"U.S. and international health organizations recommend providing naloxone kits to laypersons who might witness an opioid overdose; to patients in substance use treatment programs; to persons leaving prison and jail; and as a component of responsible opioid prescribing," the researchers wrote in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.


Comments


[39 Points] None:

[deleted]


[34 Points] CookyDough:

/u/BNCompany told me:

Im in one of those states. Today I attempted to go to multiple CVS's in an attempt to purchase some narcan. 3 pharmacists had no idea what I was talking about, and after explaining it and how CVS had made it over the counter, they simply just said they couldn't help me. One pharmacist however became very panicked saying "no no no, that's ridiculous" and actually asked me to leave immediately. So while it seems CVS has made narcan OTC in my state it still isn't available.

In that situation, I suggest the pressure-from-above strategy. Before you leave, ask for the store manager and inform them of CVS' new policy (it might help to have the internet on your phone to show them the news) and tell them you couldn't buy it in their pharmacy but you want to. If you're not one for face-to-face interaction with people, get their "store #" from the manager before you leave or call the CVS stores you went to and were denied at. Ask them for their CVS "store number". You want their corporate store number like "#2383", not their phone number (which you obviously already have if calling them). They should give it to you with no questions asked. Then call the CVS corporate HQ (1-800-SHOP-CVS / 1-800-746-7287 - call from a payphone if you don't want your # in their records, calls to 800 #'s from payphones are free), and tell them that you went to these stores (give the store numbers) and they refused to sell you Naloxone / Narcan. Ask them to inform the store managers and the pharmacist-in-charge ("P.I.C.") at those stores about the new CVS policy of selling naloxone OTC.

Then call the CVS store nearest you every day, ask for the pharmacy and ask them if they sell OTC Narcan yet.


[7 Points] Trappy_Pandora:

This is fantastic news!


[8 Points] davaunte:

Great news! Can't wait to see it listed for 8x the retail price on the darknets! Gotta love capitalism and awesome vendors!


[6 Points] None:

Called around my area and about 1/2 had no idea about the change, 1/2 knew about it but said they weren't given the authorization to sell it, and only 1 store said they would sell it. Unfortunately they were out of stock already...


[7 Points] turnuptuneinthrowawa:

Do we need the dark net for this? Can't I just say, I live in state x, I'll send you the naloxone if you want some? I saw a similar thing happen here before with clean needles. Sold off the dnms and in the sub. I'm all for saving lives and would be down to distribute some of this if I could do it without a vendor profile.


[3 Points] Shoulder4Death2Cry:

Just wanted to point out that Vermont gives it out for free at the needle exchange.


[3 Points] young_k:

I know direct deals aren't allowed here, but i think for the safety and harm reduction aspects, we should make an exception.

I had a friend almost die on me just a few days ago....my giving him CPR untill the paramedics arrived is the only reason I think he survived. Narcan would have been extremely handy. I tried to administer Naltrexone (tablet) but that wouldn't have taken effect fast enough. Jesus....what a coincidence that this is available now...and just not in my state :(


[2 Points] None:

Excellent news. Everyone should have access.


[2 Points] None:

How the fuck are people supposed to get this if they aren't in that state? Can someone help me?


[2 Points] MarkMerrill1102:

Fuck yeah, finally!


[2 Points] 27clubhereicome:

And CVS still turned me away from buying syringes OTC in a city with needle exchanges. I'm on the border of two states on this list so I'm going to test how unanimous the branches are with this.


[2 Points] end_pun_violence:

If someone could help me out with this I'd really appreciate it. I have good friend who's still hitting the needle and if they ODed while I was around I would never be able to forgive myself. Too many people are dying of ODs on Long Island. It's at a rate I don't think suburban areas have ever seen before. I'll pay double the cost plus shipping if someone can help me. Thanks.


[1 Points] ivmaryjane:

A few questions:

Is this legal to sell on clearnet?
Is it legal to ship?
I'd like to help if it isn't too much a risk.


[1 Points] the_brood:

if they live near a CVS

Am I being paranoid? presumably vendors wants to stay hidden. But to me it sounds like if they suddenly start doing this, it moves the spotlight closer to them.


[1 Points] ccashcow27:

Finally, a step in the right direction...