2 weeks Ago By Rob Quinn
Synthetic opioid overdose deaths in California fell last year for the first time since 2018 and Gov. Gavin Newsom is hoping to continue the trend by making the overdose-reversing medication naloxone more accessible. California residents can now buy the drug, the generic version of Narcan, directly from a , reports the .
The price from CalRx, the state's generic drug initiative, is $24 for a carton with two single-dose nasal spray devices. Last year, the state launched a program to provide free naloxone to organizations including nonprofits, universities, and first responders. A two-dose box of naloxone costs between $45 and $70 from regular pharmacies and online outlets, the reports.
"Life-saving medications shouldn't come with a life-altering price tag," Newsom's office said in a statement. "CalRx is about making essential drugs like naloxone affordable and accessible for all—not the privileged few." California is using $150 million from opioid settlement funds to pay for naloxone programs through 2027, the reports.
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