Nonprofit organizations and health care providers keenly feel the pressures of increasing demand and cost
Experts say price breaks on naloxone are not sufficient to cover the costs on the ground.
“Sixty-four thousand people lost their lives [nationally in 2016] — that’s someone every 12 minutes,” said Justin Phillips, executive director of Overdose Lifeline, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit. “Ten free kits is not going to be enough.”
Ms. Phillips said her organization relies on generic naloxone, which is the least expensive formulation. It’s the only feasible option, using dedicated grant money the group received from the state attorney general’s office as part of a program funded by a settlement with pharmaceutical companies.
But that money is almost dried up. “We need to be able to access naloxone – which I’m told is pennies to make – for the pennies it cost to make it,” she said.
Ms. Phillips, who worked with Dr. Adams when he ran Indiana’s health department, said she has discussed the need for naloxone funding with the surgeon general, but never its price.