MILWAUKEE -- Thousands of people will be able to get potentially live-saving medication at local grocery store pharmacies starting Monday, available for the first time without a prescription.
Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc. announced Monday that its 70 Wisconsin Pick 'n Save, Copps, and Metro Market stores will begin selling naloxone (also known by its common brand name, Narcan), which can reverse the results of an opiate overdose.
Roundy's says it is one of the first chain pharmacies in the state of Wisconsin to offer the antidote.
Narcan has become a key tool in reversing overdoses caused by heroin and opiate medications. According to the CDC, there were 853 such overdose deaths in Wisconsin in 2014.
Last year, a law was passed that expanded access to Narcan, and Roundy's gained permission to dispense the medication after signing off on the state's protocol, which became available last August.
“At Pick ’n Save, Copps and Metro Market, we want those dealing with addiction and their families, as well as families of patients on high doses of prescription opioids to have convenient access to naloxone,” said Kyle Beyer, PharmD., BCACP, Manager of Clinical Care at Roundy’s.
“The ultimate goal is recovery,” emphasized George Kowalski, vice president of pharmacy. “Our hope is that a family member or loved one can be equipped with this lifesaving antidote to avoid overdoses.”
