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BOULDER, Colo. — Pharmacists at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy’s four Seattle-area locations have begun dispensing the opioid overdose antidote naloxone to patients without a prescription.
Pharmaca said Monday that naloxone is available without a doctor’s prescription at its stores in Redmond, Madison Park, Wallingford and West Seattle, Wash.
Patients requiring naloxine simply ask for it at the pharmacy counter and have the option of requesting the medication as a nasal spray, an auto-injector or an injectable kit.
“We’re happy to be able to offer this important medication to patients without the need for a doctor’s prescription,” Vicky Chu, market manager for the Seattle area at Pharmacy and pharmacy manager for the chain’s Wallingford Center location, said in a statement. “We strongly believe that adding this level of access may very well save a life.”
Naloxone can rapidly reverse opioid overdose and therefore can be life-saving to have on hand for anyone regularly taking opioids, as well as for anyone who knows someone taking these drugs, Pharmaca noted. In addition, anyone who may have opioids or opioid pain relievers in their home may run the risk that children or guests unintentionally ingest the medication, another potential reason to have naloxone on hand.
Overall, Pharmaca has 30 stores, including two Pharmaca Wellness & Natural Beauty locations, in California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington.
