Wisconsin reaches deal on discounted opioid antidote

MADISON - Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel has reached an agreement with the pharmaceutical company Adapt Pharma, Inc., to provide discounted rates for NARCAN, an antidote for opioid overdoses.

"The Wisconsin Department of Justice is committed to Wisconsin's law enforcement and first responders who make our state safer and stronger every day," said Schimel. "After hearing recent news reports about the rising prices of some naloxone products, we teamed up with Adapt Pharma to provide financial relief and increased access to the opioid antidote. We are grateful for Adapt's leadership and look forward to the widespread availability of NARCAN as a result of this discount."

NARCAN is a nasal spray that delivers a 4-milligram dose of naloxone in a single spray, that is designed to be simple enough to use for both medical and non-medical personnel.

The agreement allows "police, first responders, state and local government agencies, as well as community-based organizations that purchase NARCAN Nasal Spray directly from Adapt Pharma in quantities greater than 48 units are eligible for a 40 percent discount," according to the release.

It drops the price to $75 for two 4mg doses.

The issue of access to naloxone has becoming increasingly important in recent years as communities across the nation see rising rates of opioid abuse and overdoses.

The discounted rate lasts through Feb. 15, 2018.

-Richard Jenkins