Kaleo donates 50,000 naloxone auto-injectors

RICHMOND, Va. — Kaléo this week made a commitment to fighting opioid addiction. The company has pledged to donate 50,000 of its Evzio (naloxone) auto-injectors ahead of the UNITE to Face Addiction rally, which will take place on Oct. 4 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The company will donate the auto-injectors to local public health departments that it finds to have the greatest need.

"In the midst of a public health emergency surrounding addiction it is time for all of us to have improved resources,” said Greg Williams, co-founder of Facing Addiction, group organizing Sunday’s rally. “We are proud to be part of what we believe to be the largest donation of naloxone in history. It is time for all of us to collectively face addiction and this donation from kaléo will help save so many lives.”

The public health departments that receive the emergency overdose treatement will be determined based on research from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. HHS secretary Sylvia Burwell said the department is happy to work with the company on its kaléo Cares program, as it makes the only naloxone injector for caregivers and consumers.

“This unprecedented donation is designed to help make Evzio vailable to those without traditional insurance coverage who are being served by local public health departments determined to be in greatest need,” kaléo president and CEO Spencer Williamson said. “Since the launch of the kaléo Cares Product Donation Program last October, donated Evzio have contributed to more than 135 reported lives saved. We believe this latest donation will help save hundreds of people in the months ahead.”