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Gov. Gavin Newsom announced CalRx-branded naloxone nasal spray is now available to all California residents for $24 per twin-pack carton, nearly half the standard market price.
The over-the-counter medication – which can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses – was previously available only to government entities and businesses in bulk quantities of 24 packs.
"Life-saving medications shouldn't come with a life-altering price tag," Newsom said. "CalRx is about making essential drugs like naloxone affordable and accessible for all — not the privileged few. California is using our market power as the 5th largest economy in the world to disrupt a billion-dollar industry to save lives...and we're just getting started."
Naloxone works by temporarily blocking opioid receptors in the body, quickly reversing the effects of an overdose and providing critical time for the affected person to receive medical attention. The medication has become an essential tool in combating the opioid epidemic that continues to affect communities across the country.
California residents can purchase the CalRx naloxone HCL 4mg nasal spray twin-packs through the state's official CalRx website for $24 plus applicable tax and shipping. This pricing positions the state-branded medication among the most affordable options currently available on the market.
By leveraging the state's substantial purchasing power and forming strategic partnerships, CalRx aims to establish new standards for pricing essential medications. This program demonstrates how state-led intervention can successfully challenge conventional pharmaceutical pricing structures to ensure cost doesn't prevent access to life-saving treatments.
The naloxone initiative is a component of Newsom's comprehensive Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis. According to data published on the Naloxone Savings Dashboard, the CalRx program has already saved California over $6 million since its inception.
Recent data through June 2024 shows promising results, with California recording the first decline in synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths since 2018. These fatalities, primarily involving fentanyl and tramadol, had been steadily increasing from 2018 through June 2023.
State officials caution the overdose crisis remains complex and year-to-year fluctuations cannot be attributed to any single intervention. However, they note comprehensive efforts targeting opioid trafficking, overdose prevention, treatment support, and public awareness appear to be making a difference.
Californians seeking to purchase CalRx naloxone can visit the CalRx Get Naloxone website to place an order. Additionally, eligible organizations may qualify to receive the medication at no cost through the Department of Health Care Services' Naloxone Distribution Project.
For residents seeking more information about opioid risks, prevention, and treatment resources, the state offers a centralized resource at Opioids.CA.gov.
