By Forum Staff
Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday highlighted the availability of naloxone, known widely by the commercial brand name Narcan, a medication that can reverse the effects of a drug overdose from heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioids, at New York State pharmacies.
Major pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Rite Aid are expected to begin carrying the medication both online and in stores beginning this month. The drug has been available for usage by non-medical personnel to prevent overdoses in New York State since 2006, and has been easier to obtain in NY since August 2022 due to a statewide pharmacy standing order. While it is likely that not all naloxone administrations are reported, over 35,000 naloxone administrations have been reported to the NYSDOH this time.
“The opioid and overdose epidemic has impacted far too many New Yorkers,” Hochul said. “Alongside harm reduction, preventive, and treatment support programs, the expanded availability of Narcan has saved lives throughout New York State, and over-the-counter accessibility will save even more. We will continue to focus State resources towards addressing the overdose epidemic effectively and compassionately.”
This summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there were an estimated 110,000 fatalities from drug overdoses, numbers consistent with rises in recent years. As The Forum reported last week, New York State is receiving more than $2 billion through various settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies that were secured by Attorney General Letitia James. A portion of the funding from settlements go directly to municipalities, with the remainder deposited into a dedicated fund to support prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery efforts to address the ongoing opioid epidemic, managed through the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board.
Additionally, New York State’s Interagency Task Force on Overdose Prevention recently held their first meeting. Led by Commissioners Dr. Chinazo Cunningham from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports and Dr. James McDonald from the New York State Department of Health, the multi-agency group will provide recommendations to increase programmatic coordination, analyze the success of existing state programs, and explore additional solutions to the opioid crisis.
“We continue to see unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths throughout New York State and the rest of the country. We need to do everything we can to reverse this alarming trend,” said State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, Naloxone has already prevented thousands of deaths across New York State and increased access to this safe and effective medication will help save even more lives. Greater availability of Naloxone is vital to our ongoing efforts to support those impacted by addiction.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald added, “Opioid use disorder is a complex and common disease that affects many New Yorkers. The easy availability of naloxone (Narcan) now without a prescription, along with treatment programs, will help to save lives. Governor Hochul, the State Health Department, and I will continue to highlight and address this critical issue with compassion and determination.”
