WOONSOCKET, R.I., July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health
(NYSE: CVS) announced today 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," said Tom Davis, RPh, Vice
President of 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," said Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of 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. High school teachers and administrators can
learn more about bringing Pharmacists Teach to their school at www.CVSHealth.com.
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. Law enforcement officials in South Dakota can apply to receive a
drug collection unit at www.cvs.com/safercommunities. Additionally, CVS Health has launched digital resources on its website CVS.com that give
patients and families information about drug abuse prevention.
With the addition of South Dakota, CVS Pharmacy now dispenses naloxone to patients without an
individual prescription in these 42 states: Alabama, Alaska,
Arizona, Arkansas, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana,
Nevada, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington,
West Virginia and Wisconsin.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,700 retail
locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a
dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services,
and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to
manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers
better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of
health at https://www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contact:
Erin Shields Britt
Corporate Communications
(401) 770-9237
Erin.Britt@CVSHealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health