Responders To Get Narcan Discounts

Responders To Get Narcan Discounts Effort will help get life-saving anti-overdose drug where it's needed

Fast Facts Discount price: $20 Normal price: $33-$66 Reverses effects of an opioid overdose, saving lives in severe cases Damien Fisher News Staff Writer BOSTON  Massachusetts Attorney Gen­eral Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced that cities and towns across the state can immediately begin purchasing the life-saving over­dose reversal drug naloxone at a discounted rate. The Massachusetts Mun­icipal Naloxone Bulk Pur­chasing Trust Fund allows first responders to buy naloxone at a deeply discounted rate of $20 per dose, and have the drug along with an atomization delivery device sent directly to them. Until now, municipalities have been paying anywhere between $33.27 to $66.89 per dose of naloxone, not including the cost of the atomizer, according to data from the AG’s Office. This discount is possible, in part, thanks to a charitable donation from Teleflex Inc., a global provider of medical devices, which manufactures the atomization devices. Tele­flex will provide atomizers to help offset the cost even further for first responders. “More and more of our police and fire are responding to overdoses, and it’s important they have affordable access to this critical drug,” Ms. Healey said. “We are pleased to work with the Department of Public Health to implement this program immediately, and I am deeply grateful to Teleflex for its generous contribution to the fund, which will help us save even more lives in Mass­achusetts.” “The use of naloxone has saved lives across Mass­achusetts, and is one of our state’s greatest success stories in the fight against the opioid epidemic,” said DPH Com­missioner Monica Bharel. “This critical effort to lower the cost of naloxone will allow more municipalities, first responders, and those most likely to witness overdoses to be more prepared and equip­ped to save lives.” In August 2015, the AG’s Office secured a first-of-its kind payment of $325,000 from Amphastar Phar­maceuticals Inc., the manufacturer of naloxone, following concerns over the sharp price increase for its naloxone in late 2014, when the wholesale price more than doubled from less than $15 per dose to more than $30. This payment, along with funding of $100,000 from the Legislature, has made available the equivalent of more than 20,000 doses. Naloxone is a medication that effectively reverses an overdose from heroin or other opioids. Naloxone blocks the impact of opioids, and restores normal breathing when spray­ed into the nose of someone who has overdosed. It is safe, easy to administer and has no potential for abuse. There has been a significant increase in cost and demand for naloxone since the beginning of the opioid epidemic. In March 2014, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick declared a public health emergency in response to the growing opioid addiction epidemic. The DPH issued emergency regulatory amendments permitting first responders to carry and administer naloxone. Since then, numerous first responders have purchased naloxone kits for use in reversing the effects of a heroin or opioid overdoses. Addressing the growing addiction crisis in Massachusetts continues to be a top priority for Attorney General Healey and the Baker-Polito administration. The AG’s Office is looking at a host of other practices, from marketing by pharmaceutical companies, to dispensing by pharmacies, to pill diversion and drug trafficking by criminal entities, to coverage for substance abuse treatment by insurance companies. The AG’s Office is also working on solutions that include eliminating barriers to treatment, and supporting prevention and education initiatives across the state. Earlier this year, the governor convened an Opioid Working Group that made 65 specific recommendations to combat the epidemic, including increasing the number of available beds, reducing the stigma of addiction and lowering the number of abuse-prone prescription opioids given to patients. Any first responder or municipality with a Mass Controlled Substance Registration can purchase naloxone through the State Office of Pharmacy Services. Most orders can be processed in two to three days, depending on availability from the wholesaler.