Retailers offer OTC Narcan nasal spray

Retailers, including Walgreens and Rite Aid, announced the availability of over-the-counter Narcan Nasal Spray, a medication designed to reverse the effects of a life-threatening opioid emergency rapidly and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose.

Walgreens recently announced that Narcan Nasal Spray will be available at Walgreens stores and online as soon as Sept. 5, with nationwide availability on Sept. 7. 

“We are committed to educating and making it easier for all Americans to have this life-saving medicine available in their first aid kits in case of an emergency,” said Kevin Ban, executive vice president and Walgreens chief medical officer. “We all must recognize that overdoses can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background or other factors. As a leading healthcare company, providing access to OTC naloxone creates an opportunity for bystanders, friends and family members to potentially save a life. In the event of an overdose, every second matters.”

Naloxone should be administered as soon as someone shows signs of an opioid overdose and does not replace emergency medical care. It’s important to call 911 immediately, Walgreens said.

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OTC Narcan Nasal Spray will retail at Walgreens stores for $44.99.

Rite Aid announced today that Narcan Nasal Spray is now available at all Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs locations nationwide and RiteAid.com.

“By making Narcan Nasal Spray easily accessible over the counter to Rite Aid customers, more people will have the ability to save a life,” said Summer Kerley, vice president of clinical services and market access solutions for Rite Aid. “We encourage customers to ask their local Rite Aid pharmacist how they can be prepared to reverse an opioid emergency.”

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Rite Aid said that each carton of Narcan Nasal Spray contains two single-dose devices. Each device contains one dose of medicine. The carton is readily available on shelves and at the pharmacy counter at Rite Aid stores and is priced at $45.99.