CVS Health expands access to non-prescription naloxone to Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. - CVS Health on Wednesday joined Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Health and Human Resources Secretary William Hazel and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran in highlighting the availability of the opioid overdose-reversal medicine naloxone without a prescription at all CVS Pharmacy locations across Virginia. CVS Health has established a standing order with physicians in Virginia that allows CVS Pharmacy to expand access to the medication in the Old Dominion.

 

"Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses and by expanding access to this medication in our Virginia pharmacies by the use of a physician's standing order for patients without a prescription, we can help save lives," said Tom Davis, VP pharmacy professional practices at CVS Pharmacy. "We support expanding naloxone availability to give more people a chance to get the help they need for recovery and we applaud Governor McAuliffe and the State of Virginia for their leadership in the fight against drug abuse and addiction."

 

"Drug overdose is the No. 1 cause of unnatural death in Virginia, and it has been for the past three years," McAuliffe said. "It takes the lives of more Virginians than motor vehicle accidents or firearms. Preliminary numbers indicate that about 1,000 Virginians died of drug overdose last year, including more than 500 from prescription opioids and 300 from heroin. So we know that this particular class of narcotic, which includes both prescription and illegal drugs, is the primary killer that we must confront if we are going to end this epidemic. CVS Health's decision to make naloxone available without a prescription at all of its Virginia locations is a welcome and important step that will save lives here in Virginia."

 

In addition to Virginia, CVS Pharmacy locations in 22 states can dispense naloxone to patients without an individual prescription.