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Kroger's 40 pharmacies in West Virginia are making the opioid overdose reversal medicine naloxone available without a prescription.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
West Virginia had the highest rate of death due to drug overdoses in the United States in 2015, at 41.5 deaths per 100,000 people. That is more than double the national average.
"Making naloxone available in our pharmacies is an important step in allowing family members, friends and caregivers of those struggling with addiction an opportunity to overcome it," said David Potters, West Virginia State Board of Pharmacy executive director.
"Kroger is making a life-saving medication available to those who have a family member or friend who suffers from an opiate addition," said Steve Burson, Columbus Division pharmacy clinical sales manager. "It's critical that pharmacists be able to educate families and friends of loved ones suffering from addiction on how to handle and administer Naloxone, if needed. Naloxone not only prevents overdoses in those addicted to opiates, but it can also be used to prevent overdose in patients taking opioids for chronic pain management, such as cancer or injury."
Last year, the West Virginia Legislature adopted a law allowing pharmacies to dispense naloxone without a prescription.
The legislation also called for the Board of Pharmacy and the Bureau of Public Health to develop a protocol for patient counseling, educational materials and documentation through the West Virginia Controlled Substances Monitoring Program.
Kroger pharmacies are located in Wheeling, Weirton, Moundsville, the Charleston area, Huntington area, Morgantown, Clarksburg, Beckley, Parkersburg, Ripley, Buckhannon, Elkins, Rainelle, Hinton, Ronceverte, Oak Hill, Logan, Smithers, Danville, Bluewell and Princeton.