Pubdate: Sat, 23 Aug 2014
Source: Providence Journal, The (RI)
Copyright: 2014 The Providence Journal Company
Contact:  http://www.providencejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/352
Author: Linda Borg

BY END OF AUGUST, CVS WILL OFFER NARCAN WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION TO
COUNTER OPIATE OVERDOSES

WOONSOCKET, R.I. - CVS Pharmacy announced that it would offer the
opiate antidote Narcan without a prescription at all of its 60
pharmacies in Rhode Island by the end of month.

Narcan, also known as naloxone, offers immediate help for anyone
overdosing from an opiate such as heroin or a prescription painkiller
such as OxyContin. If given in time, Narcan can reverse an overdose by
restoring breathing.

"Over half of our pharmacies are now under a collaborative agreement
that allows them to dispense Narcan without a prescription," CVS
spokesman Michael DeAngelis said Friday. "It's part of our commitment
to combat prescription drug abuse. We think it's a great public service."

The Walgreens pharmacy chain began a similar program more than a year
ago, thanks to an agreement among the Board of Pharmacy, a Miriam
Hospital doctor and the drugstore.

The two drug giants are responding to a surge in recent deaths in
Rhode Island due to opiate drug overdoses. According to a Butler
Hospital website, Rhode Island ranks among the highest in the country
in illicit drug use, including the non-medical use of prescription
pain relievers and per capita overdose deaths.

In the first four months of 2014, 90 Rhode Islanders died from
accidental drug overdoses, a 23-percent increase from the 73 drug
overdoses reported during the same period last year.

In August, Butler and Kent hospitals began distributing Narcan to
patients at risk of an opiate drug overdose. The Rhode Island State
Police added Narcan to their toolbox in early May.

The collaborative agreement is with Dr. Josiah Rich, an infectious
disease specialist at the Miriam Hospital. Once a pharmacist completes
the training program, he or she signs the agreement with Rich.

DeAngelis referred to this process as a blanket prescription. "It's
pretty straight forward," Rich said. "We teach people how to recognize
a drug overdose, to call 911 and how to administer Narcan."

Narcan can be administered as a nasal spray or an injection. CVS will
offer both, but the nasal spray is expected to be much more widely
used. CVS pharmacists are currently undergoing training on how to help
customers properly administer the drug, DeAngelis said.

"It will be like getting a flu shot," he said. "You will be able to
walk in and not need a prescription."

Rich said, however, that a single dose of Narcan may not be enough. He
also said that as Narcan wears off, the individual may experience
withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. "We strongly
encourage people to seek medical care," he said.

Rich applauded CVS for making a commitment to deal with a serious
medical crisis in Rhode Island.

"Here in their home state, with one of the most devastating public
epidemics to hit, they are stepping up to the plate and rolling this
out," he said. "This is a critically important tool to prevent
overdose deaths."

Rich said he hopes that if the effort is successful here, CVS will
consider expanding it to other states.  
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D