CVS Health makes naloxone available without an Rx in South Dakota

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health announced Thursday that the opioid overdose-reversal medication naloxone is now available without an individual prescription at all CVS Pharmacy locations in South Dakota.  Under a collaborative practice agreement between CVS pharmacists and a local physician, CVS pharmacies, located inside Target stores in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, can dispense the medication to patients without the need for a separate visit to a prescriber.



"Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses and by expanding access to this medication in our pharmacies in South Dakota we can help save lives," stated Tom Davis, VP pharmacy professional services at CVS Pharmacy. "We are dedicated to helping the communities we serve address and prevent prescription drug abuse and we are expanding access to naloxone to give more people a chance to get the help they need for recovery."



"Increased access to naloxone is an important resource for families struggling with addiction," added Gary Mendell, CEO Shatterproof, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the devastation the disease of addiction causes families.  "Naloxone is a safe and trusted tool that helps loved ones fight the overdoses that are ravaging our communities. We are pleased to see CVS Health make this life-saving medication available at pharmacies in South Dakota and 41 other states."



Earlier this year, Shatterproof launched a new website, Shatterproof.org, which provides information about naloxone as well as other resources for those affected by substance use disorder.  The launch of the site was supported in part through a grant from the CVS Health Foundation.



Today's naloxone announcement also builds on CVS Health's commitment to helping communities address and prevent prescription drug abuse by focusing on prevention and safe medication disposal.  In 2015 CVS Health launched a community outreach program called Pharmacists Teach, which brings CVS pharmacists to local schools to talk to students about the dangers of drug abuse. More than 275,000 students across the U.S. have already taken part in the program.  



CVS Health has also joined with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids to create the Medication Disposal for Safer Communities Program, which donates disposal units to local police departments, providing a safe and environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted medication.  



With the addition of South Dakota, CVS Pharmacy now dispenses naloxone to patients without an individual prescription in 42 states.