CAMP HILL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Rite Aid announced today that naloxone, a medication that can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is now available at more than 440 pharmacies in Kentucky, Ohio, Oregon and Vermont without a prescription, subject to state regulations. Previously, naloxone, which can be administered by injection or nasal spray, was only available with a physician’s prescription.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 78 people die from an opioid overdose in the United States each day,” said Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. “Rite Aid is committed to helping reduce the number deaths due to opioid overdoses and making naloxone available without a prescription at our pharmacies in Kentucky, Ohio, Oregon and Vermont is an important action we can take in the fight against opioid abuse.”

Naloxone is also available for purchase without patient specific prescriptions at Rite Aid pharmacies in 13 additional states including: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

To date, Rite Aid has trained more than 10,000 pharmacists on naloxone dispensing. Rite Aid is also working to expand its naloxone dispensing program in other states served by the Company where naloxone is currently only available with a prescription.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2016 annual revenues of $30.7 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.

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