New program announced for opioid overdose treatment

Nationally, an average of 44 people die each day as a result of prescription opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To help combat the epidemic, state and local leaders recently announced an expansion of efforts to facilitate public agencies’ access to potentially lifesaving opioid withdrawal medication. The announcement was made at a recent White House Office of National Drug Control Policy community forum on the opioid epidemic.

The National Association of Counties (NACo), National Governors Association, National League of Cities and United States Conference of Mayors, with the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance and Premier, Inc., have reached an agreement with Adapt Pharma to offer Narcan Nasal Spray at a 40-percent discount, or $37.50 per dose ($75 for a two-pack carton).

Narcan Nasal Spray, is the only FDA-approved, ready-to-use nasal spray version of naloxone hydrochloride, a life-saving medication that can stop or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The medication is used along with emergency medical treatment to reverse the life-threatening effects of opiate (narcotic) overdose. The NARCAN Nasal Spray product is a ready-to-use, needle-free device. It delivers a 4-milligram dose of naloxone in a single 0.1-milliliter nasal spray.

“Providing affordable access to drugs like Narcan Nasal Spray is critical to saving lives in the event of an opioid overdose,” said Clarence Anthony, CEO and executive director of the National League of Cities, in a statement.

NARCAN Nasal Spray is available through the Premier, Inc. contract with U.S. Communities through Adapt Pharma’s distributor, Smith Medical Partners. This discounted program is an effort to provide affordable access to NARCAN for entities that serve the public interest with limited funding.

As part of its Safe and Secure Counties Initiative, NACo is working with state associations of counties to develop policy recommendations and promote promising practices to address the opioid epidemic plaguing communities.

“Medication-assisted opioid treatment can mean the difference between life and death,” says National Association of Counties (NACo) President Sallie Clark, Commissioner, El Paso County, Colo.

Tom Cochran, U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO & executive director, is pleased to see the product’s expanded availability. “This treatment is another tool for mayors and cities to use in their efforts to stem this epidemic.”

Go to this site to get more information, including Narcan Nasal Spray prescribing information, safety information, photos and videos.

In October 2015, the U.S. Communities Purchasing Alliance made naloxone and medications containing buprenorphine available. This latest announcement expands the offering to include Narcan.

To obtain the discounted Narcan Nasal Spray, U.S. Communities’ participating agencies must sign participation documents for Premier’s Medical Surgical and Pharmaceutical Group Purchasing Program.

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