State increases access to Narcan with Rite Aid agreement

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Narcan kits to be available through Rite Aid.
Narcan kits to be available through all Rite Aids across the state.

CONCORD, NH – Gov. Maggie Hassan announced Dec. 21 that the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Rite Aid have signed a standing order to stock naloxone, an emergency treatment for heroin and opioid overdoses also known as Narcan, at Rite Aid pharmacies in New Hampshire.

With the standing order in place, any individual will be able to purchase Narcan from a Rite Aid pharmacist in New Hampshire. Rite Aid is the first pharmacy chain to sign a standing order in New Hampshire.

“The heroin and opioid crisis is the most pressing public health and safety challenge facing our state, and while we work to support law enforcement and strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery efforts, we must also do everything that we can to save lives when an overdose takes place,” Governor Hassan said. “I thank Rite Aid for their leadership in working with the State to sign a standing order that makes Narcan available in their New Hampshire locations, and I encourage other pharmacies to follow Rite Aid’s example to help increase access to this life-saving emergency treatment.”

Increasing the safe and effective use of Narcan is one component of the State’s comprehensive approach to combat the heroin and opioid crisis. Earlier this year, Governor Hassan signed bipartisan legislation allowing doctors to prescribe Narcan to the families and loved ones of those at risk of an overdose, and in September, DHHS made 4,500 Narcan kits available at community health centers across the state. In addition, all four general levels of Emergency Medical Services – which includes many of the state’s firefighters – have the ability and all trained police officers have the option in New Hampshire to administer Narcan.

The standing order was facilitated by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services/Department of Safety Statewide Naloxone Training and Distribution Initiative. Along with the prescription, prescribers must provide brief instructions that include recognition of opioid overdose, the need to call 911 and to provide rescue breathing, and the administration of naloxone.

“With expanded access to Narcan, anyone anytime can save a life,” DHHS Commissioner Nick Toumpas said. “Our goal is to ensure that naloxone is available to every New Hampshire resident. With Rite Aid’s commitment to stock it and make it available, we are one step closer to that goal.”

Rite Aid will maintain kits that include two doses of naloxone, two atomizers and instructions in many of its 68 locations in New Hampshire and have the ability to order at all locations upon request. The standing order allows Rite Aid pharmacists to dispense naloxone to a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose or a family member, friend or other person in position to assist a person at risk of overdose. Pharmacists will provide training on administering naloxone in the event of an overdose to any individual who purchases a kit.

“Rite Aid takes the role we play in the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves very seriously,” said Eric Frazier, Rite Aid regional pharmacy vice president for New Hampshire. “We are committed to helping to reduce the number of deaths caused by opioid overdose, and that’s why we are partnering with Governor Hassan and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to Narcan statewide.”

 

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!