Walgreens Expands Availability of Naloxone without a Prescription to 33 States and Washington D.C.

DEERFIELD, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As part of its comprehensive national plan to combat drug abuse,
Walgreens today announced it has now expanded availability of naloxone,
a lifesaving opioid antidote, without requiring a prescription to
Mississippi, Missouri and Washington D.C. That brings the total to 33
states and the District of Columbia where Walgreens makes naloxone
available without a prescription.

The medication can be dispensed in accordance with each state’s pharmacy
regulations at nearly 5,800 Walgreens pharmacies. Naloxone can be used
in the event of an overdose to reverse the effects of heroin or other
opioid drugs, and is administered by injection or nasal spray.

“By making naloxone available without a prescription, we are making it
easier for families and caregivers to help their loved ones by having it
on hand in case it’s needed,” said Rick Gates, Walgreens group vice
president of pharmacy. “As a pharmacy we are here to help people, and we
are committed to making naloxone more accessible in the communities we
serve.”

Walgreens will continue make the medication available in more states
without a prescription. By early 2017 the company plans to begin
offering naloxone without requiring a prescription in Arkansas,
California, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Nevada and Tennessee.

Drug abuse continues to be a public health and safety risk. More
Americans die every day from drug overdoses than from motor vehicle
crashes, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration’s 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 19
million Americans misused a prescription drug in 2015¹.

When naloxone is dispensed instructions are provided on how to
administer the medication, which includes calling 911 as naloxone is not
a substitute for medical care, and anyone who is administered the
medication should seek immediate medical attention.

States where Walgreens offers naloxone without requiring a
prescription:

Alabama, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois,
Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
Mexico, New York (including Duane Reade pharmacies), North Carolina,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas,
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com),
one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail
Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA),
the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More
than 10 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in
communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel
access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective
pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates
8,175 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens omnichannel
business includes Walgreens.com and VisionDirect.com. Approximately 400
Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic
services.

¹ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s
2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR2-2015/NSDUH-FFR2-2015.htm

Contacts

Walgreens
Phil Caruso
847-315-2936
philip.caruso@walgreens.com
http://news.walgreens.com
@WalgreensNews
facebook.com/Walgreens