Pharmacists in 13 states trained to administer Narcan spray

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons Cos. is providing no-prescription access to opioid overdose antidote naloxone through its supermarket pharmacies in more than half of the states where it operates.

The food and drug retailer said Thursday that nearly 3,000 of its pharmacists have been specially trained to administer Narcan, a naloxone nasal spray, as well as counsel patients on the use of the medication.

In-store pharmacies under the banners Acme, Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Carrs, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb and Vons can currently dispense Narcan in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington, according to the company.

“The research on naloxone as an emergency treatment for opioid overdoses is proven. 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,” Mark Panzer, senior vice president of pharmacy, health and wellness at Albertsons Cos., said in a statement.

Albertsons noted that naloxone dispensing procedures are intended not only for emergency treatment but also to aid in patients’ recovery so they can seek medical assistance or drug counseling.

Administration of the medication includes a private consultation with the pharmacist to determine the patient’s eligibility, with counsel on Narcan expectations and an explanation of the adverse event safety profile, and in some cases notification of the patient’s primary care provider.

Adapt Pharma’s Narcan is the first and only Food and Drug Administration-approved naloxone nasal spray for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose, including fentanyl-, carfentanil- and heroin-related overdoses.