Albertsons Cos. Pharmacies Offer Narcan

As more than half of the states in which Albertsons Cos. operates have passed legislation to allow pharmacies to dispense naloxone (sold under the name Narcan), which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose without a prescription, the grocer has specially trained almost 3,000 pharmacists to administer the FDA-approved nasal spray and counsel patients on the use of this medication.

Albertsons’ pharmacies in Acme, Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Carrs, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb and Vons stores are currently able to dispense Narcan in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

The company’s naloxone-dispensing procedures were designed not just to help save the lives of those who have overdosed on opioids, but also to aid in patients’ recovery so they can then get medical treatment or drug counseling. The medication’s administration includes a private consultation with a pharmacist to determine the patient’s eligibility, with information on Narcan expectations and explanation of its adverse-event safety profile, and, in certain cases, notification of the patient’s primary care provider.

“The research on naloxone as an emergency treatment for opioid overdoses is proven,” noted Mark Panzer, Albertsons’ SVP of pharmacy health and wellness. “With our teams in place as a resource for this medication, we are keeping with our commitment to serve and improve the health and wellness of all our customers while also making our communities stronger.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 78 Americans die every day from opioid overdoses.

Albertsons Cos. operates stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under such banners as Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs.