WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: As part of Governor’s Newsom’s Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crises, over-the-counter CalRx®-branded naloxone is now available at $24 per twin-pack.
SACRAMENTO – Today the State of California announced that CalRx®-branded over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone nasal spray, 4mg, is now available for free to eligible organizations through the state or to certain organizations for $24 per twin pack through Amneal Pharmaceuticals. This follows Governor Newsom’s announcement regarding the state’s agreement with Amneal to purchase and distribute an OTC naloxone nasal spray product through CalRx®’s Naloxone Access Initiative.
“By making naloxone widely available and affordable, we are empowering communities and saving lives,” said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “This is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to tackle the opioid crisis head-on.”
California’s partnership with Amneal to provide naloxone nasal spray at a significantly lower price is already benefiting Californians. In May, the state purchased approximately 24,000 units for the California Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) Naloxone Distribution Project, leading to $415,000 in savings.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The opioid crisis remains a major public health challenge, with thousands of lives lost each year due to overdoses. Naloxone is a critical tool in combating the opioid crisis, capable of reversing opioid overdoses swiftly and effectively. By making CalRx®-branded naloxone nasal spray readily accessible, California is taking a significant step toward reducing the number of opioid-related deaths and ensuring that OTC naloxone is available when and where it is needed most.
See CalRx-branded naloxone come off the production line:
ABOUT CALRX®NALOXONE: Manufactured by Amneal Pharmaceuticals, CalRx® naloxone is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and is proven effective in reversing opioid overdoses – and is affordable and accessible. At this lower cost, California can substantially bolster its supply and delivery of naloxone twin packs through the state’s Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP). Priced at $24 per twin pack, CalRx® naloxone is an affordable option, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to access for this life-saving treatment.
HOW ORGANIZATIONS CAN GET CALRX® NALOXONE: California business entities and organizations seeking to purchase CalRx® OTC naloxone HCL nasal spray, 4 mg, for $24 per box can do so by visiting CalRx®’s Get Naloxone website.Eligible entities may be able to obtain CalRx® OTC naloxone for free through the DHCS Naloxone Distribution Project. For more information, please visit the Naloxone Distribution Project website.
More information on where to find naloxone can be found on California’s opioid response website.
HOW CALRX® IS ABLE TO OFFER THIS PRICE: CalRx® is focused on increasing the availability of essential medicines that have low, transparent pricing without the use of coupons or rebates. The main goal for the CalRx® Naloxone Access Initiative is to lower the cost of naloxone to improve accessibility for all Californians.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals demonstrated a shared vision in this regard, particularly for the accessibility of naloxone, a critical life-saving drug. The $24 price point represents a more affordable cost, while enabling a leading diversified pharmaceutical manufacturer to enter the market and promote competition. CalRx®, in its dedication to transparency, is passing along these cost efficiencies to all governmental and business entities across California.
BIGGER PICTURE: Governor Newsom released the Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis to support overdose prevention efforts like the CalRx Naloxone Access Initiative. Recently, Governor Newsom launched Opioids.CA.GOV, a one-stop-shop for Californians seeking resources around prevention and treatment.