Walgreens makes naloxone available without a prescription in Pennsylvania

DEERFIELD, Ill. - Walgreens on Monday announced it has made naloxone available without requiring a prescription from an individual’s physician in all of its Pennsylvania pharmacies in accordance with state pharmacy regulations.

 

“By making naloxone available without a prescription, we are making it easier for Pennsylvania families and caregivers to help their loved ones by having it on hand in case it’s needed,” stated Kimberly Treece, Walgreens regional VP in Pennsylvania. “As a pharmacy we are here to help people, and we are committed to making naloxone more accessible in the communities we serve.”

 

Naloxone is now more accessible and easier to obtain in more than 120 Walgreens pharmacies throughout Pennsylvania. The medication can be used in the event of an overdose to reverse the effects of heroin or other opioid drugs, and is administered by injection or nasal spray.

 

In February, Walgreens announced plans to make naloxone available without a prescription in 35 states and Washington D.C. in accordance with each state’s pharmacy regulations. In states where a prescription is required, Walgreens is available to work with regulators to help update rules to allow for dispensing of naloxone without a prescription. 

 

Since its original announcement about naloxone, Walgreens has made the medication available without a prescription at its pharmacies throughout the states of New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Indiana and Ohio, and has now expanded that access to Pennsylvania. When implementation of the program is complete, naloxone will be available without a prescription in more than 5,800 of Walgreens nearly 8,200 stores.

 

"I applaud Walgreens for taking this step. Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can save the life of someone suffering addiction and an overdose from a prescription painkiller or heroin,” said Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania Physician General. “The medication gives the patient the opportunity to get the treatment that they need. The disease of addiction is complex and the State's response requires all hands on deck, including our partners in the community, like Walgreens pharmacy."

 

Walgreens also will be installing safe medication disposal kiosks in more than 500 pharmacies in 40 states, including Pennsylvania. The medication disposal kiosks allow individuals to safely and conveniently dispose of their unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances and over-the-counter medications, at no cost. The kiosks at Walgreens pharmacies will be available during regular pharmacy hours and will offer one of the best ways to ensure medications are not accidentally used or intentionally misused by someone else. The initial installation of the safe medication disposal kiosks has begun in California and is expected to be completed at more than 500 Walgreens locations later this year.