All Walgreens To Stock Narcan Prescription-Free

DEERFIELD, IL — Walgreens is stocking over-the-counter opioid overdose antidotes at all of its pharmacies in the country. Narcan — the nasal spray form of naloxone that can reverse the effects of heroin and some prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin — is now carried in more than 8,000 of the company's pharmacies "as part of its comprehensive national plan to combat drug abuse," Walgreens announced Tuesday.

Walgreens Vice President of Pharmacy Rick Gates said the Deerfield-based company is committed to making naloxone more accessible in the communities it serves.

“By stocking Narcan in all our pharmacies, we are making it easier for families and caregivers to help their loved ones by having it on hand in case it is needed," he said.

Also see: Senators Urge Trump To Take Action On Opioids

Narcan was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1971. Walgreens announced a plan last year to make it available without a prescription in every state where it is allowed, which it now does in 45 states. Walgreens said it was "eager and willing" to work with the other five states to make naloxone easier to get.

The company also announced it has adopted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to educating patients about Narcan whenever they are dispensed more than the equivalent of 50 miligrams of morphine and might risk an accidental overdose.

But as the opioid crisis continues to ravage communities across the country, is there a possible danger in making the antidote to overdoses easier to obtain?

Speaking on Good Morning America, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said the lifesaving benefits of the drug were obvious, but some people might question its effect on opioid users.

"I think the risk here," Ashton said, "is that people could say, ‘Will this give people a false sense of security and have them use opioids more if they know that they can use this immediate antidote?’" One day, she suggested, naloxone will probably be as widespread a piece of medical equipment as an EpiPen or an automatic external defibrillator.

Seamus Mulligan, CEO of Narcan's manufacturer, Adapt Pharma, applauded the news and called Walgreens' move "an important milestone," that, when "combined with the opportunity for patients and caregivers to obtain Narcan Nasal Spray without an individual prescription in 45 states, is critical in combating this crisis.”

Las month, Walgreens received approval from federal regulators to buy more than 1,900 Rite Aid locations, which it has begun doing in recent weeks.

Starting next spring Walgreens will close about 600 stores, mostly Rite Aids, as it integrates and rebrands the new stores into its chain, the companies CFO said in an earnings call Wednesday, according to Crain's Chicago Business.

_{Top photo: Narcan nasal spray | John Minchillo | Associated Press}