Patient access to the opioid-overdose reversal drug naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, has expanded in both Texas and Florida. CVS Health has made naloxone available without prescription at all pharmacy locations across Texas and Florida, allowing patients and families to obtain the drug without an individual prescription, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Patients in Florida and Texas can now obtain naloxone without an individual prescription as long as the pharmacy receives a standing order from a physician authorizing blanket access.
"This gives better access to patients who didn't have that access before," Michael Jackson, executive vice president and CEO of the Florida Pharmacy Association, told the Tampa Bay Times. "This medication can save lives."
In addition to making naloxone available at all of its Texas and Florida pharmacies, CVS Health created a safe medication disposal program that has already donated 37 disposal units to Texas police departments to aid in the collection and safe disposal of more than two and a half metric tons of unwanted prescription drugs.
Tom Davis, vice president of Pharmacy Professional Practices at CVS Pharmacy, said. "We are dedicated to helping the communities we serve address and prevent drug abuse and we are expanding access to naloxone to give more people a chance to get the help they need for recovery."