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California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, is now available to all Californians at a discounted rate through the state's CalRx program. The medication, sold as a two-pack nasal spray, is priced at $24, about half the market price. Previously, this discount was only available to government organizations and businesses. Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of making life-saving drugs accessible to everyone, stating, "Life-saving medications shouldn’t come with a life-altering price tag. CalRx is about making essential drugs like naloxone affordable and accessible for all — not the privileged few."
The initiative is part of California's broader strategy to combat the opioid crisis, which claimed over 8,900 lives in the state last year, marking a 13% increase from 2023. The state has already distributed more than six million naloxone kits since 2018, reversing approximately 355,000 overdoses. The Naloxone Distribution Project aims to further reduce opioid-related deaths by making the drug more accessible.
The move also aligns with Governor Newsom's efforts to lower prescription drug costs through the CalRx initiative, which includes plans to produce generic insulin. California's partnership with Amneal Pharmaceuticals allows the state to offer naloxone at a reduced price, saving $17 million since May 2024.
The state's comprehensive approach to the opioid crisis includes placing naloxone in schools and potentially requiring workplaces to stock it in first aid kits by 2028.